Summary
Lionel Messi officially retires from international footballHe steps down as Argentina's all-time leading scorer and appearance makerThe legendary forward shared handwritten notes from July to announce his exit
Lionel Messi officially called time on his international career. Seven weeks after Argentina lost to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, the 39-year-old icon announced his retirement from international football. He walks away as the statistical king of his nation with 207 caps and 125 goals.
The legendary forward posted a picture on Instagram Monday showing notes he wrote on July 21. These notes confirm the end of his Argentina career. Addressing his statement directly to fans, Messi wrote that retiring is a decision that hurts his soul but he knows the time has come. He explained that he has emptied himself and has nothing more to give. Younger talents coming through the ranks deserve their turn to be selected.
A deeply personal tragedy cemented the choice. The death of his father, Jorge, in early August made him feel more convinced than before about the decision to step away.
This exit concludes a defining chapter in sports history. Messi overcame early career criticism for not matching his club form internationally to lead Argentina to its first World Cup triumph since 1986. He leaves the national team having captained the squad to the 2022 World Cup and two Copa Amrica titles.
His international journey began in an August 2005 friendly against Hungary where he earned his first senior cap and received a red card almost immediately. Messi previously announced a brief retirement in 2016 after losing the Copa Amrica final to Chile on penalties. Former teammates ngel Di Mara, Rodrigo de Paul, Enzo Fernndez and Lautaro Martnez posted tributes to honor their captain following this final announcement.