Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 39, bringing an end to one of the greatest careers in the history of the Argentina national team.

Messi made the announcement on Monday, saying the decision was painful but that he believed the time had come to step away from the national side. He said he had given everything he had to Argentina and that a new generation of players deserved an opportunity.

The Inter Miami forward’s final appearance for Argentina came in the 2026 World Cup final, where the reigning champions lost 1–0 to Spain. The defeat denied Messi a second World Cup title and a fairytale ending to his international career.

Messi retires as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading goalscorer, with 207 caps and 125 goals. His 21-year international career began in 2005 and included periods of disappointment before ultimately becoming a story of remarkable redemption.

After losing the 2014 World Cup final and three consecutive Copa América finals, Messi finally won his first major senior international trophy when Argentina lifted the 2021 Copa América. He subsequently captained the country to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and another Copa América triumph in 2024.

The decision also comes weeks after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in August. Messi had previously acknowledged doubts about continuing his football career following the loss.

Messi said he leaves the national team with pride and peace of mind, having fulfilled his long-held ambition of bringing major trophies to Argentina.

His retirement marks the end of an extraordinary era for Argentine football and closes the international chapter of a career that has established Messi as one of the sport’s most influential and decorated players.