0Lionel Messi has closed the final chapter of his Argentina story. The 39-year-old announced his retirement from international football on Monday, ending a 21-year journey that redefined the Argentina national football team history. His retirement decision follows the death of his father, Jorge Messi, earlier this month, a loss that pushed the captain toward certainty after weeks of doubt. Argentina’s greatest ever player leaves with a World Cup title, a No. 10 Argentina jersey soon to be retired, and a lot of memories that fans would cherish for years to come.
Lionel Messi’s Farewell Note
Lionel Messi shared his international retirement decision in an emotional statement, revealing he had written it on July 21, just two days after Argentina’s FIFA World Cup final defeat to Spain. He said it was a choice that “still hurts deep inside,” but insisted the timing felt right.
Messi stressed he “always gave everything” for the shirt, not only in recent trophy-laden years but across two decades of service. He thanked his family, coaches and teammates, calling the journey “beautiful but difficult.” He closed by revealing his father’s passing had strengthened his resolve, writing that he was “even more convinced of this decision than before.”
Lionel Messi’s Records, Trophies And Career With Argentina National Football Team
Messi’s Argentina career began in August 2005, and it now ends with numbers no compatriot has approached. He retires as the nation’s all-time leading scorer with 125 goals and its most-capped player with 207 appearances, surpassing Javier Mascherano’s caps record back in 2021.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also holds Argentina’s all-time assist tally, once matching USA great Landon Donovan for most international assists by any men’s player.
His trophy cabinet features the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa America. At the 2026 World Cup, Messi extended his own tournament scoring record to 21 goals and added a record 12th assist, while playing a joint-record sixth edition of the competition.
Argentina’s Football Association has already pledged to retire his No. 10 shirt, a first-of-its-kind honor for the national team. Messi will continue to play for Inter Miami, with his current MLS contract running until 2028.