Messi Announces Retirement from Argentina’s National Team

Lionel Messi, the renowned soccer player, announced his retirement from the Argentine national team at the age of 39 on Monday. This marks the end of a more than two-decade-long association with the Albiceleste jersey. Messi shared his decision in an emotional Instagram post, nearly a month and a half after Argentina's loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

In his letter, Messi expressed that the decision was both painful and deeply personal, but he understood that it was time to move on. He emphasized that he always gave his all for the national team and left with pride over the unforgettable moments he shared with his teammates. Messi's final match with Argentina was the 2026 World Cup final, thus concluding a remarkable international career of 207 appearances and 125 goals.

He explained that after weeks of introspection, he determined that it was time to definitively close a significant chapter of his life. While acknowledging Argentina's lack of a World Cup title since 2022 and their runner-up finish in 2026, Messi felt it was the right time to step aside for the sake of a new generation of players.

He assured that he would remain emotionally connected to the national team but would do so as a fan from this point forward. The announcement came two days after the final against Spain, but Messi decided to make it public weeks later. The recent loss of his father, Jorge Messi, further reinforced his conviction that it was time to step back.

Messi's career with Argentina began in 2005, and he quickly became a key figure for the team. However, his early years were marked by criticism and several losses, including finals against Brazil in 2007, Germany in the 2014 World Cup, Chile in 2015 and 2016, and Argentina's 2016 Copa America Centenario final loss. Despite these setbacks, Messi's relationship with the national team remained strong until his retirement.