Buenos Aires, Sept. 1 (SANA) Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international soccer at the age of 39, ending a record-breaking Argentina career in which he became the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer.
Messi announced his decision Monday in an Instagram post featuring a handwritten note in Spanish, saying he had given it extensive thought following Argentina’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
“It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come,” Messi wrote, adding that he had always given everything for Argentina and its national team shirt.
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply,” he added. “I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team.”
Messi said he had “nothing left to give” and that promising young players deserved opportunities with the national team.
He also revealed that he had written the retirement statement on July 21, two days after the World Cup final, but said the death of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8 had made him even more convinced of the decision. Jorge Messi died at a hospital in Rosario at the age of 68.
Messi leaves Argentina after making 207 appearances and scoring 125 goals. He also became the highest-scoring male player in South American soccer history.
He led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, the country’s first world championship in 36 years and its third overall. He also helped Argentina win the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, ending a 28-year wait for a major international trophy.
At the 2026 World Cup, Messi scored eight goals and provided four assists as Argentina reached the final before losing to Spain.
This was Messi’s second international retirement announcement. He first stepped away in 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa América final to Chile on penalties, following defeats in the 2014 World Cup final and the 2007, 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals.
He reversed that decision weeks later and went on to lead Argentina through the most successful period of his international career. Since returning, he made 94 further appearances and scored 70 goals for the national team.
The latest announcement prompted tributes from teammates and football officials.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, who played alongside Messi in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning team, described their shared journey as the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
“Life ended up being far more beautiful than that boy was able to imagine,” Fernández wrote on Instagram. “I didn’t just get to play with you, but we shared training camps, the dressing room, the conversations, the embraces, the difficult moments, the wonderful moments, and we ended up world champions together.”
Fernández also praised Messi for his humility and support, saying it was difficult to imagine future national-team camps without the captain.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Messi for an extraordinary international career that inspired millions and redefined the sport, while the Argentine Football Association thanked him for representing Argentina and turning dreams into reality.
Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, also paid tribute to him, recalling his perseverance through difficult periods and his eventual fulfillment of his dreams.
Messi’s retirement leaves Argentina facing a transition toward a younger generation ahead of future Copa América competitions and the 2030 World Cup.
[2026-09-01 10:16 AM] Ec Sana: For Messi, attention will now turn to his club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
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