End of an Era: Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football. The 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina, Messi decided to hang up his boots for the national side while continuing to play for Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer (MLS). Messi’s last appearance for Argentina came during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey, which they lost to Spain 1-0. Playing his sixth World Cup, Messi smashed eight goals and assisted four times in his best-ever outing at the competition.

Touted as the greatest of his time, Messi took to his Instagram handle to announce his international retirement.

“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team…

"It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment.

"I swear I always gave everything, not only 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 happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football,” Messi wrote.

Following his father Jorge Messi’s death earlier in August, the Argentine superstar indicated he was calling time on his professional yet decorated career, saying he doesn’t have much left in him to deliver.

"There isn’t much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot. I love, I loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I don’t have anything more to give.

"Also, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be here.”

Messi made his international debut in August 2005 in a friendly game against Hungary, and represented Argentina at next year’s World Cup. For 20 years, he delivered his best for the South American team, having had his share of success and failures on the way. While he realised his dream of lifting a FIFA World Cup in Qatar, alongside winning several international trophies, Messi had also endured many heartbreaks in international tournament finals over the years. But his journey, nonetheless, has been magnificent.

"Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside. Now I’ll be one of you, always supporting from the outside, in the good times and even more in the bad ones.

"Thank you to my family for always being there and for being with me throughout this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to every coach, teammate and director I had the chance to share it with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.

"I leave with peace and pride, knowing that together with my teammates we gave you moments we once dreamed of. It was crazy to experience all of this with you. I love you!

"Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.

"¡Vamos, Argentina!

“I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced of this decision than before,” he concluded.