Lionel Messi Announces Argentina Retirement After Record-Breaking International Career/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer Monday, ending a two-decade career with Argentina that included a World Cup title and a record 125 goals. The 39-year-old played in a record-tying six World Cups and led Argentina to the 2026 final, where it lost to Spain in extra time after his eight-goal tournament. Messi said he made the decision shortly after the World Cup final but delayed announcing it following the illness and death of his father, Jorge Messi.
Quick Look
- Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina’s national team at age 39.
- Messi ends a two-decade international career as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 125 goals.
- He played in a record-tying six World Cups and scored 21 World Cup goals.
- Messi led Argentina to its 2022 World Cup championship in Qatar.
- Argentina reached the 2026 World Cup final but lost to Spain in extra time in New Jersey.
- Messi scored eight goals in eight matches at the 2026 World Cup, finishing one behind Kylian Mbappé.
- He wrote his retirement letter on July 21, two days after the World Cup final.
- Messi delayed publishing the letter because of his father’s health problems.
- Jorge Messi died Aug. 8 in Rosario, Argentina.
- Messi will continue playing club soccer for Inter Miami.
- He recently scored four goals in Inter Miami’s 7-1 victory over CF Montreal.
- This is Messi’s second retirement from Argentina after briefly leaving the national team following the 2016 Copa América final.
Lionel Messi Retires From Argentina at 39
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer Monday, bringing an end to two decades representing Argentina and one of the most celebrated national-team careers in the history of the sport.
The 39-year-old announced his decision on Instagram after leading Argentina to another World Cup final this summer.
“It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deeply — but I understand that the time has come,” Messi said.
“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.”
Messi Ends Career With Record 125 Argentina Goals
Messi concludes his international career as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 125 goals.
Twenty-one of those goals came at World Cups.
He competed in a record-tying six World Cups, ultimately achieving the defining triumph of his international career when Argentina won the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Four years later, Messi led Argentina back to the World Cup final.
Argentina lost to Spain in extra time in New Jersey in the 2026 championship match.
Messi nevertheless delivered another outstanding tournament, playing all eight of Argentina’s matches and scoring eight goals.
He finished only one goal behind France’s Kylian Mbappé, the tournament’s leading scorer.
Messi Delayed Retirement Announcement After Father’s Death
Messi said he wrote the letter announcing his retirement on July 21, two days after Argentina’s defeat in the World Cup final.
He waited more than a month before publishing it because his father was dealing with serious health problems.
Jorge Messi died Aug. 8 in his native Rosario, Argentina.
The family loss delayed Messi’s public announcement but did not change the decision he had made immediately following the tournament.
Messi Will Continue Playing for Inter Miami
Messi’s retirement applies only to international soccer.
He will continue his club career with Inter Miami, although he did not indicate in his letter how much longer he plans to play professionally.
His performance remains strong despite being 39.
Over the weekend, Messi scored four goals as Inter Miami defeated CF Montreal 7-1.
He is also the two-time defending Most Valuable Player in Major League Soccer and remains the leading star of the reigning MLS champion.
Two Decades Wearing Argentina’s Jersey
Messi made his Argentina debut in 2006, beginning an international journey that would initially be defined as much by disappointment as individual brilliance.
For years, his extraordinary success at Barcelona contrasted with Argentina’s repeated failures in major international finals.
That changed dramatically during the latter portion of his career.
“Thank you for all the love these past 20 years,” Messi said in his retirement letter. “I’m going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much. Now I’m going to be one of you, cheering and supporting you from the outside (through thick and thin, even more so).”
Messi said he leaves international soccer proud of what he and his teammates accomplished.
“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — along with my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of. Experiencing this with you was incredible. I love you all,” he added.
Messi’s Second Retirement From Argentina
This is technically Messi’s second retirement from international soccer.
His later success with Argentina nearly never happened.
Messi first announced he was leaving the national team following Argentina's defeat to Chile in the 2016 Copa América final.
The match was decided on penalty kicks, with Messi missing one of Argentina’s attempts.
He ultimately reversed that decision and continued representing his country.
The comeback transformed the legacy of his international career.
Messi eventually helped Argentina win the Copa América in 2021 and again in 2024 before delivering the achievement that had eluded him for much of his career: the World Cup.
Argentina defeated France to capture the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
From Barcelona to PSG and Inter Miami
Messi’s international career unfolded alongside one of the most successful club careers in soccer history.
After establishing himself as a global superstar with Barcelona, he later played for Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami.
Even in the final stages of his career, Messi has continued producing decisive performances and goals in Major League Soccer.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni summarized Messi’s status during the recent World Cup.
“He is pure history,” Scaloni said. “History. A legend.”
More on Sports