Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 1, 2026 — Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football with Argentina, bringing an end to a more than two-decade career with the national team that included a World Cup triumph, two Copa América titles and a record 207 appearances.
The 39-year-old confirmed his decision on Monday through a statement posted on Instagram. Messi said the decision was painful but that he had reached the point where he felt it was time to close his chapter with the national team.
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply,” Messi wrote, adding that he had given everything he had to the Argentina shirt and believed younger players now deserved opportunities with the team.
Messi's final international appearance came in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, when Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time. The defeat denied him the chance to finish his international career with a second World Cup title, four years after he captained Argentina to glory in Qatar.
Despite the disappointing ending, Messi leaves Argentina as its most-capped player and leading goalscorer. He finished his international career with 207 appearances and 125 goals. He also won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, completing a remarkable transformation in his relationship with the national team after years of disappointment.
