Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina’s national team on Monday, ending two decades of international duty. Rather than a press conference, the 39-year-old shared his goodbye through an Instagram post showing handwritten notebook pages in Spanish, telling fans he had given the decision a great deal of thought before deciding the time had come.
According to the post, Messi first wrote the farewell letter on July 21, just two days after Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain, but chose not to publish it right away. He added a footnote explaining that recent events had only strengthened his resolve to step away.
A Loss That Reshaped the Timing
That reference was to the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away on August 8 at a hospital in Rosario at age 68. Messi acknowledged that his father’s passing made him even more certain about a decision he had already been carrying with him for weeks.
The announcement comes just over a month after one of the most painful nights of his career, watching Argentina fall to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Messi was visibly emotional on the field as the match ended, a moment many saw as a preview of what was coming.
Two Decades, One World Cup, and a Legacy Etched in Numbers
Messi leaves international football as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 125 goals in 207 appearances for the national team, making him South American soccer’s highest-scoring man in history. His international résumé includes the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, Argentina’s first in 36 years, along with Copa América wins in 2021 and 2024 that helped end a 28-year trophy drought. He also featured in title-match defeats in 2014, 2016, and this year’s 2026 final.
This is not the first time Messi has stepped away from the national team. He briefly retired after Argentina’s Copa América final loss to Chile in 2016, only to reverse the decision months later and go on to lead the country to its most successful stretch in decades.
A Message of Gratitude, Not Regret
In his statement, Messi reflected on the effort he poured into every appearance for Argentina, insisting he always gave everything for the shirt, not only in the recent trophy-winning years but throughout his entire career. He thanked fans, teammates, and coaches for two decades of support, describing pride in the moments they experienced together.
Reaction poured in quickly from across Argentine football and politics. National team coach Lionel Scaloni, who had praised Messi during this year’s tournament as a legend, joined a wave of tributes, as did Argentine President Javier Milei and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who credited Messi with inspiring millions worldwide.
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What Comes Next
Messi’s retirement applies only to international duty. He will continue playing at club level for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where he has featured since 2023, though he has not said how much longer he intends to keep playing professionally. For now, the notebook pages he shared on Instagram close one of the most decorated international careers in football history, on his own terms and in his own handwriting.
FAQ
Why did Lionel Messi retire from Argentina’s national team?
Messi said the decision followed Argentina’s 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain and was reinforced by the death of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8.
What are Messi’s career statistics with Argentina?
He scored 125 goals in 207 appearances, making him Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, and the highest-scoring man in South American soccer history.
Is Messi retiring from club football too?
No. Messi’s retirement applies only to international play. He will continue playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Summary: Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina’s national team on Monday, closing a 20-year international career shaped by the 2022 World Cup title, this year’s final heartbreak, and his father’s recent death.
