Messi retires from international football after 20 years
By Kwame Bediako Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, ending a 20-year career with Argentina. The 39-year-old captain made the decision after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, saying it was “the right moment” to step away. Emotional statement: “I have nothing more to give” In a […]
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after a 20-year career with Argentina. The 39-year-old captain made the decision following Argentina's 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, stating it was the "right moment" to step away. In an emotional Instagram post, Messi expressed that "I have nothing more to give" and that he loved being part of the national team, having given everything he could.
The decision was finalized after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8. Messi, who originally drafted the statement on July 21, revealed that his father's passing reinforced his conviction to retire. Throughout his career, Messi holds the records for most caps (207) and goals (125) for Argentina, leading the team to consecutive World Cup finals in 2022 and 2026, as well as winning the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 Finalissima.
Messi thanked his fans, family, coaches, and teammates, announcing that he will now support Argentina "from the sidelines" as one of them, leaving with peace and pride knowing they achieved the moments they had dreamed of together.
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