1 day ago
Lionel Messi Retires From Argentina After Two Decades
Lionel Messi has decided to stop playing for Argentina’s national football team.
He made his Argentina debut in 2005 and played for the team for more than 20 years.
Messi announced his decision on social media on Monday.
He said he had written the message two days after Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain.
He later became more certain after his father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi, died earlier this month.
Messi is Argentina’s record holder for appearances, goals and assists.
He won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América with Argentina.
His teammates thanked him for his leadership, kindness and lessons.
Many football figures and fans called him one of the greatest players ever.
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina’s national team after more than two decades.
Messi said he had considered the decision for a long time and wrote his statement two days after the 2026 World Cup final.
Argentina lost Messi’s final international appearance, the 2026 World Cup final, 1-0 to Spain.
Teammates including Ángel Di María, Rodrigo De Paul, Lautaro Martínez and Cristian Romero paid emotional tributes.
Messi leaves as Argentina’s record appearance-maker, leading goalscorer and assist-maker, with three major international titles.
- Who
- Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina’s national team, prompting tributes from teammates, Argentine officials, FIFA and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo.
- What
- Messi is ending his international football career after more than two decades with Argentina.
- Where
- The retirement concerns Argentina’s national team and was announced through social media.
- When
- He announced the decision on Monday; he said he wrote the statement two days after the 2026 World Cup final.
- Why
- Messi said he had considered retirement for a long time and became more convinced after the death of his father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi.
Key facts
- Age
- 39
- Argentina debut
- 2005
- Final appearance
- 2026 World Cup final against Spain
- Final result
- Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain
- Argentina records
- Most appearances, goals and assists
- Major international titles
- 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa América
- Tribute from Rodrigo De Paul
- He called Messi “the greatest of all time” and “eternal”
Quotes
Lautaro Martínez
Argentina forward and Lionel Messi’s international teammate
“It’s so hard to read that you’re retiring; we won’t be seeing you wearing the sky blue and white colours anymore. All I know is that I was born in the right century to be able to witness you play, relish your performances and, on top of that, share all those years with you in the national team. To see you fulfill your dreams, and your greatest dream of all – to become world champion. Thank you so much for everything; you’re a legend and the greatest of all time.”
indianexpress.com
deccanchronicle.com
“I don’t know if there are enough words to thank you for everything you did for us. Beyond everything you achieved on the pitch, what stays with me is everything you taught us off it: never to give up, to keep trying after every setback, to work quietly and, above all, to always believe in ourselves.”
indianexpress.com
Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam chief minister and public commentator
“An era ends. Thank you, Leo, for every bit of magic. What a privilege it has been to watch you play. Heartbroken like every fan today, and I know my entire family will feel it too. GOAT for life”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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