Messi retires from International football after 21 years with Argentina

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.

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

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

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

"We will love you until the end of our days": Messi announced his retirement and the reactions arrived  marca.com

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.

A look back at some of the moments that defined Messi's career with his country. Leer más

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.

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

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international soccer after 21 years representing Argentina

“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.

Elsewhere, it's a full day of Monday action across Europe Aug 31, 2026 at 12:50 pm ET • 4 min read One of sports' most storied chapters is officially coming to a close. Lionel Messi announced his international retirement after two decades of representing Argentina, unequivocally leaving the national team as its best-ev

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

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.

Lionel Messi has decided to retire from international football at 39, marking the end of an extraordinary era for Argentina. After an impressive career spanning nearly two decades, Messi guided his national team to triumph in the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup, as well as reaching the final of the 2026 World

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

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.

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 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

Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, but his side lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 final.

Argentina's Messi ends international career  Reuters

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.

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football aged 39.

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

Lionel Messi has ended his career as a player for the Argentine national team at 39 years old, after two decades representing the national side. Messi, who played in six World Cups, won the tournament in Qatar 2022 and led Argentina to the final in 2026 losing to Spain. He made his debut for the Argentina national team

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 dazzling career 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.

Messi's decision comes more than three weeks after his father, Jorge, died at 68 following a battle with an illness.

Lionel Messi announces Argentina retirement  USA Today

Lionel Messi announces he is retiring from Argentina’s national team  CNN

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

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

Argentina great Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, saying it was a decision that "hurt" but he understands "the time has come".

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 great’s last game was in World Cup final Player’s father Jorge passed away earlier in August Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international duty with Argentina after winning 207 caps. Messi, who made his Argentina debut in 2005, won the World Cup in 2022 and was a runner-up this summer and in

Argentina great Lionel Messi announces his retirement from international football, saying it was a decision that "hurt" but he understands "the time has come".

Read a summary of this article on FAST. Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST BUENOS AIRES, Aug 31 : Soccer superstar Lionel Messi said on Monday in a post on Instagram that he would be leaving Argentina's national team. Source: Reuters

Argentina legend Lionel Messi announces international retirement  ESPN

Confirming his retirement from international duty on Monday, the Inter Miami star said he realised that "the time has come."

Soccer star Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday, just three weeks after his father died at 68 following a battle with illness. Messi announced the decision via Instagram, sharing a photo of three handwritten pages that contained his full statement — which he said he’d originally pe

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