In an emotional announcement, 39-year-old football icon Lionel Messi has officially retired from international football, closing the book on a monumental 21-year journey with the Argentina national team.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner confirmed his decision via a statement published on his social channels, revealing that he had drafted his retirement letter just two days after Argentina’s World Cup final loss against Spain. Messi cited the desire to allow a talented new generation of young players to step forward, while adding that the recent death of his father, Jorge Messi, further solidified his decision.
“I have exhausted everything I have, and I no longer have any more to give. There are some great young players coming through who deserve their opportunity… I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, moments we could only have dreamed of.”
Record-Breaking Argentina International Career
Messi steps away as the undisputed leader across every statistical metric in La Albiceleste history:
| Metric | Record / Total |
| International Caps | 207 appearances (1st all-time for Argentina) |
| International Goals | 125 goals (1st all-time for Argentina) |
| World Cup Appearances | 34 matches across 6 tournaments (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026) |
| World Cup Goals | 21 goals |
| Major Trophies Won | FIFA World Cup (2022), Copa América (2021, 2024), CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions (2022), Olympic Gold (2008) |
Future Plans: Where Will Messi Play and Retire?
While his international chapter has drawn to a close, Messi is not retiring from professional football entirely just yet.
- Continuing at Inter Miami CF: Messi remains actively under contract with Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer (MLS), where he continues to lead the club’s attack alongside long-time teammate Luis Suárez.
- Final Career Chapter: Messi has indicated that Inter Miami will be the final club of his professional career. He plans to finish out his remaining playing days in MLS before transitioning into eventual full football retirement, focusing on family, commercial ventures, and potential club ownership roles.
English