Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi has introduced that he’s retiring from worldwide soccer on the age of 39, bringing an finish to a 21-year profession with Argentina that included a World Cup triumph, two Copa América titles and a report 125 targets. The retirement comes weeks after Argentina misplaced the 2026 World Cup last to Spain and shortly after the dying of Messi’s father, Jorge.
Messi introduced his determination Monday in a handwritten assertion shared on Instagram. He stated he had spent vital time fascinated with his future following Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain within the World Cup last on July 19.
“After the time that has handed because the last, and after giving it quite a lot of thought, I wish to let everybody know that I’m retiring from the Nationwide Group,” Messi wrote.
The choice ends one of the vital adorned worldwide careers in soccer historical past. Whereas Messi retiring from Argentina had been anticipated following the 2026 World Cup, the announcement nonetheless marks a significant second for the nationwide staff and world soccer.
Messi Says the Resolution Was Painful
Messi acknowledged that leaving Argentina is an emotional determination, saying it “damage” and nonetheless hurts deeply. Nonetheless, he stated he understands that the time has come to step away.
“I’ve given the whole lot I had; I’ve nothing left to offer,” Messi wrote, whereas additionally pointing to the youthful gamers coming by way of the nationwide staff.
The assertion was initially written on July 21, two days after Argentina’s World Cup last defeat. Messi added a notice explaining that the dying of his father later strengthened his conviction that it was time to go away worldwide soccer.
Jorge Messi died on August 8 at a hospital in Rosario on the age of 68. He had performed a major function in his son’s profession, together with serving as his agent and supporting him all through his rise from Rosario to Barcelona and finally to the best stage of worldwide soccer.
A Document-Breaking Argentina Profession
Lionel Messi has RETIRED from the Argentinian Nationwide Group! 🇦🇷
Thanks for the reminiscences Magician 🐐 pic.twitter.com/OPBfphTi90— Blue body🩵 (@Blueframe421) August 31, 2026
Messi finishes his Argentina profession because the nation’s most-capped participant and all-time main scorer. He made 207 appearances for the nationwide staff and scored 125 targets.
His worldwide profession started in 2005, and he went on to play at six World Cups. He received the Golden Ball on the 2014 and 2022 tournaments and have become the primary participant to win the award twice.
His greatest achievement got here in Qatar in 2022, when he captained Argentina to its first World Cup title since 1986. The victory additionally accomplished the key worldwide prize that had eluded him for a lot of his profession.
Messi additionally led Argentina to Copa América victories in 2021 and 2024, ending a protracted interval of disappointment for the nationwide staff.
From Worldwide Frustration to Argentina Icon
Messi’s relationship with Argentina was not at all times easy.
Earlier than his late-career success, he endured a number of painful defeats with the nationwide staff. Argentina misplaced the 2014 World Cup last to Germany and suffered back-to-back Copa América last defeats in 2015 and 2016.
Following the 2016 Copa América Centenario last, Messi briefly introduced his worldwide retirement. He finally reversed the choice and returned to steer Argentina by way of its most profitable interval in a long time.
The turnaround modified how he was considered at residence. After years of criticism and comparisons with Diego Maradona, Messi turned one of many nation’s most celebrated sporting figures.
The 2026 World Cup Brings His Last Chapter
The 2026 World Cup was extensively anticipated to be Messi’s last look on the event, and Argentina got here inside one victory of one other championship.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in further time within the last, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive aim. Messi was visibly emotional after the ultimate whistle, and the defeat finally turned the ultimate aggressive look of his worldwide profession.
Messi later wrote that he would miss listening to Argentina’s supporters from the sector however would now help the nationwide staff from the skin.
“Now I’ll be simply one in all you, cheering and supporting from the skin,” he wrote.
Messi Leaves Argentina With Nothing Left to Show
Though Lionel Messi is retiring with out one other World Cup title, he leaves worldwide soccer with a legacy few gamers can match.
He received the World Cup, two Copa América titles and the Finalissima with Argentina whereas setting data for appearances and targets. His 125 worldwide targets additionally make him the highest-scoring participant in South American males’s worldwide soccer.
For Argentina, Lionel Messi retiring means the tip of an period that started greater than 20 years in the past. For Messi, nonetheless, the choice represents the closing of a chapter he believes he has given the whole lot to.
“I depart with the peace of thoughts and delight of getting given you, alongside my teammates, moments we as soon as solely dreamed of,” he wrote.
“I really like you! Thanks, God, for making me Argentine.”
Messi is now retired from worldwide soccer, however his membership profession continues. The Argentine celebrity stays with Inter Miami, that means his presence on the soccer area is just not disappearing simply but.
What has modified is that Argentina will now have to maneuver ahead with out the participant who outlined its nationwide staff for greater than 20 years.
Featured picture: @fifaworldcup/Instagram
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