Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 39, ending a record-breaking career with Argentina.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and led the team to another World Cup final this summer, 21 years after making his international debut.
Messi leaves the national team as Argentina’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances.
He retires after winning every major international honour available, including two Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 World Cup and the inaugural Finalissima in 2022.
Messi had hinted at his decision following the death of his father, Jorge, earlier in August. He confirmed the retirement in a statement on Instagram, revealing that he had written the message on July 21, two days after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.
“I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give,” Messi said, adding that the decision had become even clearer following his father’s death.
Argentina lost the final to Spain after Ferran Torres scored in extra time to secure a second successive World Cup title for La Roja.
The match was widely expected to be Messi’s final appearance at the tournament, with the Argentina captain set to be 43 by the time of the 2030 World Cup.
Messi’s father died in Rosario following a long illness. Jorge had previously worked as his son’s agent.
Reflecting on the World Cup final, Messi said he had hoped to win the trophy for his father but was unable to overcome his physical limitations.
Messi thanked his family, coaches, teammates and officials who had supported him throughout his international career and said he would now support Argentina from outside the pitch.
