Lionel Messi Retires From Argentina National Team At 39

By Mintesinot Nigussie  |  September 1, 2026

Lionel Messi has retired from international football at the age of 39, ending more than two decades with Argentina after leading the country to the 2022 World Cup title and two Copa América championships.

Messi confirmed his decision on Instagram on Monday, bringing an end to his Argentina career following the team’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Argentina lost 1-0 in extra time in the final in New York-New Jersey.

The decision closes one of the most decorated international careers in football. Messi won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024 before finally lifting the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, having previously lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany. He also reached three World Cup finals with Argentina, in 2014, 2022 and 2026.

Messi said he had prepared his retirement message on July 21, two days after Argentina’s defeat by Spain, but delayed making it public following the death of his father, Jorge, on August 8.

"I am retiring from the Argentina national team," Messi wrote in his message, saying the decision was painful but that he felt he had given everything he could to the national team.

He leaves international football with 207 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina, according to Reuters. He also won the World Cup Golden Ball in 2014 and 2022 and remains one of the most decorated players in the history of the competition.

At the World Cup, Messi played 34 matches and scored 21 goals, while setting several tournament records. He is the player with the most World Cup victories and became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick.

His relationship with Argentina was marked by both prolonged disappointment and eventual success. Before winning his first senior international title at the 2021 Copa América, Messi had lost the 2007, 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals as well as the 2014 World Cup final. He briefly announced his retirement from international football in 2016 before returning to the national team.

Messi said the emergence of younger players was another reason for his decision to step away.

The retirement ends the international career of a player who moved from early criticism over his lack of major trophies with Argentina to becoming the central figure in the country's most successful period in recent international football.

Source: FSX Business News