Argentina captain Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after leading his country to a second consecutive FIFA World Cup final.
The 39-year-old forward, who helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, made the announcement on Monday following the team’s 1–0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Messi described the decision as painful but said he believed it was the right time to step away from international football.
“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul, but I understand that it is the right time,” Messi said in a statement shared on Instagram.
He added that he had always given his best for Argentina, not only during the team’s recent successful period but throughout his international career.
Messi became a national hero in 2022 when he captained Argentina to World Cup glory, defeating France on penalties in a dramatic final in Doha.
However, Argentina’s hopes of retaining the title ended in 2026 after Spain secured a narrow victory in the final.
The retirement announcement also comes weeks after the death of Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, in August. Following his father’s death, the football star had expressed doubts about continuing his playing career.
Messi said at the time that he was uncertain about what the future held for him and whether he would continue playing football for much longer.
Despite his international retirement, Messi is expected to remain active at club level. His contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season.
Messi leaves international football as one of Argentina’s most decorated players, having led the national team to major triumphs and established himself as one of the greatest footballers in history.
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