BREAKING: Argentina Soccer Legend Lionel Messi, 39, Retires from International Football

Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and captain of Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning team, announced today that he is retiring from international football. The 39-year-old confirmed the decision in a personal statement shared on Instagram, bringing an end to a 21-year career with the national team that made him Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.

Messi, who scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina, said the decision “hurt – and still hurts – deep in my soul,” but that “the time has come.” He noted that he first wrote the retirement message on July 21, two days after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey, and that the recent death of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8 further solidified his choice.

“I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team,” Messi wrote. “I’ve given it my all, I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some really great young players coming through behind me who deserve their chance.” He added that he leaves “with the peace of mind and pride of having given you—alongside my teammates—moments we once only dreamed of.”

Messi’s international career began with a brief debut in 2005 and included six World Cup appearances. He lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022, won Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, and reached World Cup finals in 2014 and 2026. In the most recent tournament, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, he scored eight goals as Argentina advanced to the final.

While stepping away from the national team, Messi will continue his club career with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, where he remains under contract.