Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, ending one of the most extraordinary careers in the history of the game. The 39-year-old made the announcement in a statement posted to Instagram, saying the decision “hurts” him deeply but that “the time has come.”
Messi captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, ending what had been the defining unfulfilled ambition of his career. He went on to lead them to the 2026 World Cup final in the summer, where they lost to Spain. He wrote his retirement message on July 21, two days after that defeat. Although he chose to publish it later following the death of his father, Jorge. He died aged 68 following a long illness.
“Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced than before,” Messi wrote.
Across 207 appearances for Argentina, Messi scored 125 goals. Numbers that make him the country’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. He won the Ballon d’Or eight times, a record that may never be surpassed. His tally of honours with both club and country represents an outstanding body of work.In his statement, Messi acknowledged the next generation waiting behind him.
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply,” he wrote.
“I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. 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.”
Messi continues to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. His club career is not yet over. But the chapter with the national team is now closed.
READ ALSO: https://alo360.net/premier-league-weekend-roundup-august-2026/
