Lionel Messi, the legendary figure of Argentinian football, has confirmed his retirement from international soccer, marking the conclusion of an extraordinary chapter in his storied career. On Monday, Messi took to social media to announce this significant decision, stating that he will no longer don the iconic white and powder-blue jersey of Argentina after playing 207 matches and scoring an impressive 125 goals. The announcement follows his participation in a remarkable career, which culminated in the team's triumph at the 2022 World Cup.
Messi's final appearance for Argentina came in a gripping match during the 2026 World Cup final, where they faced off against Spain. After considerable reflection, he expressed his feelings about stepping away from international play by saying, “After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team. It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment.” This heartfelt statement marks the end of an era for the Argentinian football tradition.
At age 39, Messi's career statistics reveal his unrivaled contributions to Argentinian football. He holds numerous records, leading the country in all-time appearances, goals scored, assists (65), World Cup appearances (34), World Cup goals (21), and Copa America participation (39). His illustrious accolades include the triumph at the 2022 World Cup, during which he scored twice against France in a nail-biting penalty shootout, as well as lifting two Copa America trophies in 2021 and 2024, and winning the 2022 Finalissima against Italy.
In his emotional farewell message, Messi reflected on his commitment to his national team. He passionately stated, “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.” This underscores the deep connection he feels with both his teammates and the Argentinian fanbase.
Messi's journey with the national team began on August 16, 2005, when he made his debut in an international friendly against Hungary, though his first match was memorable for the wrong reasons as he received a red card just a minute in. He went on to score his first goal for La Albiceleste in May 2006 in a friendly against Croatia and netted his first World Cup goal later that year against Serbia-Montenegro. Over a span of 20 years, he has accumulated an astonishing tally of 124 goals, ultimately closing his international scoring account with a goal against Egypt during the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup.
During this final tournament, Messi notably broke Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record, although he later had to concede that title to the young star Kylian Mbappe. As for his club career, Messi has yet to disclose whether he will continue with Inter Miami following the conclusion of the 2026 season. Displaying impressive form, he recently scored four goals in a match against CF Montreal, underlining his continued prowess on the pitch.
In his farewell message, Messi expressed his gratitude to his supporters, stating, “Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside. Now I’ll be one of you, always supporting from the outside, in the good times and even more in the bad ones.” This closing sentiment highlights his enduring commitment and love for the Argentinian football community.
