Lionel Messi has confirmed he is stepping away from international football, closing the book on a 21-year career with the Argentine national team.
The 39-year-old forward made the announcement in an emotional Instagram post on Monday, sharing a handwritten note in which he said the decision "hurt" him but that "the time has come." The post included a handwritten notebook entry, with a footnote revealing Messi had actually written the words on July 21, two days after Argentina's World Cup final defeat.
A Career Without Equal
Messi leaves the national team as Argentina's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 125 goals in 207 appearances. He made his debut for Argentina in 2005, and his international trophy cabinet includes the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América.
His final major tournament came this summer, when he led Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, where they were beaten 1-0 by Spain after extra time.
Timing Tied to Personal Loss
According to reports, Messi had privately decided to retire from international duty two days after Argentina's defeat in the World Cup final, but delayed the announcement because of his father's declining health. His father and long-time agent, Jorge Messi, died on August 8 at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina, at the age of 68.
In his statement, Messi referenced that loss directly, noting he had written his original farewell message in July but that recent events had only strengthened his resolve.
A Second, Final Farewell
This marks the second time Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina setup. He first announced an international retirement in 2016 after Argentina lost three consecutive finals under his captaincy, a decision he later reversed. This time, there has been no indication he intends to return. ESPN
Tributes are expected to pour in across the football world in the coming days as fans and former teammates react to the end of one era-defining international career.
This is a developing story.