Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international duty with Argentina, ending a career that spanned 207 caps and included a World Cup title. The 39-year-old's decision comes after a summer in which Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain and following the death of his father, Jorge, earlier in August.
Career highlights and final decision
Messi, who made his Argentina debut in 2005, won the World Cup in 2022 and was a runner-up this summer and in 2014. He also secured two Copa América titles during his international career.
In a statement, Messi said: “It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – 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.”
Emotional farewell and physical limits
Messi acknowledged the emotional weight of his decision, saying: “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.”
Following his father's death this month, Messi had expressed doubts about his future, writing: “Quite a few doubts about whether I’m going to keep doing it for much longer.” He also revealed the extent of his struggles in Argentina's World Cup final defeat by Spain in July, saying: “My legs couldn’t go on any more. This time I tried to push myself beyond my physical limits, but I couldn’t.”
Club career and next steps
Messi currently plays for Inter Miami, where his contract runs to 2028. His retirement from international football marks the end of an era for Argentina, but he will continue his club career in Major League Soccer.
