Lionel Messi retirement; Argentina career; World Cup loss; social media post; dad’s death

Lionel Messi has retired from international football.

The Argentina icon posted twice on Instagram to reveal the news, saying it was a decision that “hurts to the very soul.”

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One post was a video montage of his career with Argentina while the other included a photo with handwritten notes announcing his decision.

Messi’s decision comes after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain before his father, Jorge, died on August 8.

“After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the national team,” he wrote in Spanish, which has been translated to English.

“It was a decision that hurt, and hurts to the very soul, but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all: not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.

“Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad, especially the bad).

“Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey, so beautiful, yet so difficult. Thank you to every coach, team-mate, and official I’ve shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.

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“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, alongside my team-mates, moments we once only dreamed of. It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you!

“Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. ‘Let’s go, Argentina!’“

Messi added he wrote the words two days after the World Cup final and that his father’s death convinced him even more that it was the right decision to retire.

The Inter Miami forward captained Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup.

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Messi finishes with 125 goals from 207 appearances for his nation.

Along with the 2022 World Cup win, the 39-year-old lifted the Copa América twice in 2021 and 2024.

He also won the Olympics in 2008 with the under 23s side.

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Individually, he has claimed the Ballon d’Or on eight occasions and won the FIFA World Cup golden ball twice.

The retirement announcement sparked a wave of reactions.

Argentina President Javier Milei wrote on Instagram: “Thank you very much, impossible man.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Messi “for an extraordinary international career that has inspired millions of people and redefined our sport. Your magical talent and humility will be remembered forever.”

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The Argentine Football Association wrote: “Thank you for everything, Leo. Thank you for representing Argentina. Thank you for making us dream. Thank you for turning so many dreams into reality. The legend is yours, forever.”

Argentina and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul highlighted on social media “your unconditional love for our country, your internal battles to never give up, your strength in always enduring injustices, and your leadership and character in your dealings with every player.”

Leandro Paredes, another Argentina teammate, said, “Thank you for absolutely everything. You are and always will be the greatest of all time. We love you, Captain.”

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Defender Cristian Romero said: “I love you, I admire you, and I will always be grateful for the impact you’ve had on me and on our country. Thank you for so much, Captain.”

By the numbers: Messi’s dazzling Argentina career

1

Messi won the World Cup once, in Qatar in 2022. He also reached the final two other times — in 2014 and 2026 when losing to Germany and Spain, respectively.

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6

The number of World Cups in which Messi played (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026), which is tied for the most with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

21

Messi scored 21 goals across those six World Cups. That is second only to France's Kylian Mbappé, who has 22 and has played in just three tournaments.

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39

Messi was aged 39 when he announced his international retirement - 21 years after making his debut for Argentina in a friendly against Hungary in August 2005. He barely lasted a minute of that game before getting sent off for elbowing an opponent.

125

Messi scored 125 international goals and that’s more than double the amount netted by any other Argentina player. The previous record was held by Gabriel Batistuta, who scored 54 in 78 appearances from 1991-2002. It is, though, second to Cristiano Ronaldo (146 goals) in the all-time scoring list in men’s international football.

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207

The total number of international appearances by Messi, which also is a national record but not an all-time record in men's football. Once again, he's No. 2 in the list behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who has played 233 games for Portugal.

- with AP and Sam Worthington

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