Lionel Messi has officially retired from international football.
The Argentine superstar announced his decision on August 31, bringing an end to one of the greatest international careers in football history.
Messi leaves the Argentina national team at 39 after leading his country to the 2022 World Cup title and the 2026 World Cup final. �
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For Argentina, this is more than the retirement of a footballer.
It is the end of an era.
From Heartbreak to Glory
Messi’s relationship with Argentina was not always easy.
He suffered several painful defeats with the national team.
After losing the 2016 Copa América final, Messi even announced his retirement from international football.
He later returned.
That decision changed everything.
Messi finally won the 2021 Copa América, giving Argentina its first major senior men’s trophy in 28 years.
One year later, he achieved the dream he had chased for most of his career.
Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Messi was named the tournament’s best player. �
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His Final World Cup Was Almost Another Fairytale
Messi’s final World Cup came in 2026.
Argentina reached the final once again.
However, Spain defeated Argentina 1–0.
Messi ended his international career with Argentina as a World Cup runner-up.
It was not the ending many fans wanted.
Still, his legacy was already secure.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Messi finished his Argentina career as the country’s record appearance maker and leading goalscorer.
He scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina. �
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His trophy cabinet with the national team now includes:
2021 Copa América
2022 FIFA World Cup
2022 Finalissima
2024 Copa América
He also helped Argentina reach another World Cup final in 2026. �
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Argentina Says Goodbye
The reaction in Argentina has been emotional.
Fans have celebrated Messi’s career across the country.
The Argentine Football Association has also announced tributes for him.
Matches across Argentina are set to pause in the 10th minute for a 60-second applause in his honour. �
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It is a fitting tribute for a player who wore Argentina’s famous No. 10 shirt for so many years.
Messi once left the national team believing he had failed.
He returned and gave Argentina some of the greatest moments in its football history.
Now, after more than two decades, the story is finally coming to an end.
Lionel Messi is no longer an Argentina international.
But his legacy in the blue and white will be almost impossible to replace.
Source Credits: Reuters, FIFA, ESPN, The Guardian and the Argentine Football Association. The main statistics and retirement information were cross-checked with Reuters and FIFA. �
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