Lionel Messi’s Argentina teammates pay tribute after international retirement: ‘The greatest of all time’

Messi brought the curtain down on his international career after 207 appearances for Argentina

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after 207 appearances for Argentina. With 125 goals to his name, he is by far the top scorer in his national team’s history.

The man who had delivered some of his country's greatest football memories realised he simply had nothing left to give

After more than two decades, Lionel Messi is bringing his highly decorated international career to an end.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Argentina superstar Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday, ending 21 years of national-team duty that were capped by winning the World Cup in 2022 to secure his place in the pantheon of the game's greatest ever players. "It was a decision that hurt --

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Argentina superstar Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday, ending 21 years of nati

On Monday, Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his extraordinary international career, ending a 21-year journey with Argentina that took him from a shy teenager carrying enormous expectations to the country's most decorated modern footballer.

Argentine commentator gets emotional live on air after Lionel Messi announces retirement  MARCA

Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi announces his retirement

Messi announced his international retirement on Monday after two decades with Argentina's national team, a tenure headlined by a World Cup title in 2022

Team-mates, football authorities and public figures paid tribute to the player many consider the greatest of all time. Leer más

Mark Chapman is joined by Chris Sutton, Stephen Warnock and Rory Smith.

Aug 31 : Argentina's Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday.The following are quotes and reactions:CLAUDIO TAPIA, ARGENTINE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT "The captain of our dreams. That kid, 'La Pulga', that alien who made possible what so often seemed impossible... You are already

Lionel Messi announces retirement  CNN

Lionel Messi has retired from international football at 39, ending a remarkable 21-year career with Argentina just weeks after leading the team to the 2026 World Cup final. He leaves as the nation’s record appearance holder and top scorer.

The Atomic Flea and Inter Miami will take on the Red Bulls in New Jersey on Oct. 24.

Messi announced Monday that he is retiring from Argentina's national team, ending an international career that began in 2005.

After 21 years, Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international soccer, representing Argentina, finishing as a World Cup champion and scoring 125 goals.

The superstar's Argentina jersey is likely going to become one of the most collectible jerseys in all of sports

The Argentine’s career with Argentina was singular, and his exit is a reminder that all good things come to an end It was among the defining moments of the 2026 World Cup: Argentina captain Lionel Messi standing arms akimbo, looking up towards Argentina’s most fervent supporters after losing the World Cup final. Tears

Former Argentina forward Lionel Messi  Reuters

August 31, 2026 2:39 PM ET All good things must come to an end.And sadly, the legendary Lionel Messi announced Monday that he is retiring from international soccer.In a post on Instagram that showed a notebook entry written in Spanish, Messi confirmed his retirement from the Argentina national team at the age of 39. (R

After 207 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina, Messi's time in the Albiceleste has come to a close. The Sporting News has ranked Messi's 10 best international goals.

Lionel Messi’s retirement from the national soccer team, though widely expected, sparked fears of a diminished squad, and heartbreak over the departure of a national icon.

Argentina star Lionel Messi retires from international soccer with World Cup title and 125 goals  Toronto Star

Argentina star Lionel Messi retires from international soccer with World Cup title and 125 goals  AP News

Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina's national soccer team. Messi played in six World Cups, winning in 2022 and playing in the 2014 and 2026 finals. He will continue playing for the MLS club Inter Miami. NBC News' Andrew Greif reports.

Lionel Messi retires from international football after posting emotional statement  GB News

Argentina superstar Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday, ending 21 years of national-team duty that were capped by winning the World Cup in 2022 to secure his place in the pantheon of the game's greatest ever players.

Superstar says he planned move two days after Argentina’s loss to Spain in July World Cup final

At 39, eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi announced on Instagram that he was ending his international football career, which has seen him win a World Cup and two Copa America titles for Argentina.

At 39, eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi announced on Instagram that he was ending his international football career, which has seen him win a World Cup and two Copa America titles for Argentina.

Messi Retires From the National Team: Who Will Replace Him?  Forbes

“There isn’t much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot,” the 2022 World Cup winner wrote on Instagram.

He said he wrote his retirement letter after the World Cup final in July, but waited to publish it because his father was facing health issues that eventually claimed his life.

Messi announces retirement from Argentina national team. What it means for Inter Miami  Miami Herald

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday after two decades representing Argentina. "It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deeply — but I understand that the time has come," the 39-year-old Messi said on his Instagram account. PHOTOS: Spain wins the

Messi played in a record-tying six World Cups, won it in 2022 in Qatar and led Argentina to this year's final, losing to Spain in extra time in New Jersey.

The Argentine legend announced that he will not play for the national team again, ending an illustrious international career.

Argentina legend Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football for a second time in a social media post on Monday.

Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina's national soccer team on Monday via social media. Messi still plays for Inter Miami CF.

"It was a decision that hurt - and still hurts deep down - but I understand that the time has come," Messi shared in a handwritten letter posted on Instagram.

The Argentina legend says he has "nothing left to give" to international football

Argentina's Lionel Messi will retire from international soccer, ending a legendary, record-breaking tenure, he announced Monday on Instagram.

Messi, who captained Argentina in his sixth World Cup campaign, confirmed the decision on Monday

Lionel Messi revealed the emotional decision to retire from Argentina's national team after six World Cups and 98 international goals scored.

Soccer legend Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday, saying he will no longer play for the Argentina national team.

He ends his career as a player for the Argentine national team at 39 years old, after nearly two decades representing the national side

Lionel Messi Says He's Retiring From Playing For Argentina  HuffPost

Lionel Messi Retires From International Soccer: Legend ‘Hurt’ As He Ends Argentina Career  Sports Illustrated

Lionel Messi announces retirement from Argentina national team: 'This is the right moment'  thenationalnews.com

Lionel Messi said on Monday he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final in July.

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football in a lengthy statement, bringing an end to his Argentina career after a record 207 appearances and 125 goals

Lionel Messi has ended his career as a player for the Argentine national team at 39 years old, after nearly two decades representing the national side.

Argentina legend dazzled throughout summer tournament but finished with a silver medal

The decision comes shortly after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, which prompted the former Barcelona player to consider his future.

'Decision that hurts': Lionel Messi retires from international football  itv.com

In an Instagram post, Messi said: “I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you – alongside my teammates – moments we once only dreamed of.”

In an Instagram post, Messi said: “I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you – alongside my teammates – moments we once only dreamed of.”

Argentine great calls time on playing for his country six weeks after World Cup final defeat and the death of his father this month

He made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals for Argentina.

Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football  lbc.co.uk

Lionel Messi announces Argentina retirement  USA Today

Lionel Messi says retiring from international football  Dawn

The announcement comes just weeks after the death of his father Jorge.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football in a statement on Instagram.

Lionel Messi retires from international football after World Cup heartbreak  The Times

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football with immediate effect.The 39-year-old captained Argentina to the final of last month’s World Cup in New York, but he was unable to prevent his nation losing 1-0 to Spain and it proved to be the final match of his international career.Handed a senior

The Argentina legend, Messi played his final World Cup for Argentina this summer, with his country losing 1-0 in the final to Spain.

Argentina legend Lionel Messi announces international retirement  ESPN

Disha Lamba moved back to India in May 2026. Courtesy of Disha Lamba Disha Lamba moved to the US to study in 2021, but she struggled with being far from her family. She also didn't like some of the restrictions that would come with life on an H-1B visa. In May 2026, Lamba left her job and moved back to India, a decisi