Lionel Messi confirms international retirement after Argentina's World Cup heartbreak | OneFootball

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

Argentina legend Lionel Messi has called time on his international football career after falling short in the 2026 World Cup final.

Messi retires having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for his nation, with July’s World Cup final defeat by Spain his final match for the Albiceleste.

He played the full 120 minutes of the match, which was settled by Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner, and broke down in tears at the final whistle.

Messi had played almost every minute of the tournament to that point, inspiring remarkable victories against Cape Verde, Egypt and England.

Lionel Messi captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title

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He confirmed his ‘painful’ decision with a handwritten letter shared to his Instagram page, which read: “After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the national team.

“It was a decision that hurt—and still hurts deep down—but I understand that the time has come.

“I swear to you that I always gave it my all—not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too.

Lionel Messi inspired a late turnaround as Argentina knocked England out of the 2026 World Cup...

PA

...but the Albiceleste could not get past Spain in the final

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He added: “Chapters come to a close and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had, I have nothing left to give.

“That you, God, for making me Argentine.”

An addendum to the note confirms the letter was written two days after the World Cup final, but confirms that his father’s passing on August 8 only solidified his decision.

Messi, 39, retires from international duty as Argentina’s top goalscorer by a distance, his 125 goals comfortably eclipsing second-place Gabriel Bautista’s 56.

He captained Argentina through one of its most successful periods, most notably by winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Also in his trophy cabinet are two Copa America titles, the first of which nixed a 28-year trophy drought, and an Olympic gold medal.

Also eligible to represent Spain, Messi snubbed concerted attempts from La Roja to win his affection and made his senior debut for Argentina in 2005, aged 18.

He continues to represent Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, and has not yet confirmed any imminent plans to retire from club football.