Messi Retires from Argentina National Team for Second Time at 39

Lionel Messi

Messi Retires from Argentina National Team for Second Time at 39

Football legend announces emotional departure after 2026 World Cup final loss, citing father’s death as confirmation of his decision

Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the national team for the second time in his career, bringing an emotional chapter of his illustrious international career to a close at the age of 39. Messi made the announcement on Monday, August 31, 2026, in a heartfelt statement shared on his official Instagram account, ending nearly two decades of representing La Albiceleste. The 39-year-old forward revealed that he had written the retirement message on July 21, just two days after Argentina’s heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final at the New York/New Jersey Stadium. However, he chose to wait before publishing the statement. Messi explained that subsequent events involving his father, Jorge Messi, who tragically passed away on August 8 at the age of 68 following a long illness, made him even more convinced that retiring was the right decision.

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment,” Messi wrote in his statement. “I swear to you that I always gave everything, not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.” Messi’s decision comes after he led Argentina to a second successive World Cup final in 2026. He previously led the Albiceleste to glory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Argentina defeated France in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure the nation’s third world title. During his international career, he also won two Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, as well as the 2022 Finalissima.

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The star cited the emergence of a new generation of Argentine players as another factor in his decision. “There isn’t much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot. I love, loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I don’t have anything more to give,” Messi stated. “Also, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be there.” Messi ends his senior Argentina career with a record of 207 caps and 125 goals, making him the nation’s all-time leading scorer. He also holds the record for the most assists in international soccer history with 65, and the most assists in FIFA World Cup history with 12. He has won six titles while representing the national team: the World Cup in 2022, two Copa Américas, the Finalissima, as well as two youth titles (Olympic Gold Medal in 2008) and the U-20 World Cup in 2005.

In his farewell message, Messi thanked Argentina’s supporters, his family, coaches, teammates, and directors who accompanied him throughout his 20-year international journey. “Thank you for all the affection over these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside very much. Now I’m going to be one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through thick and thin, even more so).” He concluded his message with a powerful expression of national pride: “I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, along with my teammates, moments we once only dreamed of. It was crazy to experience it all with you. Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina!” This marks the second time Messi has retired from international football. He previously stepped away from the national team following Argentina’s Copa América defeat to Chile in 2016, where he missed a crucial penalty in the shootout. However, he swiftly returned just six weeks later following a collective effort by fans, teammates, and even national hero Diego Maradona to convince him to reconsider. Messi’s contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season, and his retirement from international football does not, by itself, confirm his retirement from professional club football.