Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 39, bringing an end to a remarkable 21-year career with Argentina.
Messi finishes his Argentina career as the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals.
He made his senior debut in 2005 and went on to become one of the most important players in the nation’s history.
His international career included some difficult years, with Argentina losing several major finals before finally winning the 2021 Copa América.
Messi then helped the team win the 2022 Finalissima and, most importantly, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Argentina also won another Copa América title in 2024.
Messi’s final tournament came at the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina reached the final but lost to Spain.
Although he had hoped for another memorable ending, the defeat marked the final chapter of his international career.
The decision also came after the death of his father, Jorge, earlier in August. Messi said the loss made him more certain that it was the right time to step away.
After more than two decades with Argentina, Messi leaves the national team with four major international trophies and records that place him firmly among the country’s greatest footballers.
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