Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Lionel Messi Ends Argentina Career After Two Decades
Lionel Messi has decided to stop playing international football for Argentina.
He played for the national team for about 20 years.
During that time, Argentina won the 2022 World Cup and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.
The article says Argentina recently lost a World Cup final to Spain.
Messi had also lost important finals earlier in his career.
He briefly retired in 2016 but returned after teammates and coaches persuaded him.
The article also says his father and mentor, Jorge Messi, died last month.
Messi is expected to keep playing for Inter Miami in the United States.
His retirement may mark the end of an era shared with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina’s international football team on Monday.
His reported international achievements include the 2022 World Cup and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.
The announcement follows Argentina’s defeat to Spain in a July World Cup final, according to the article.
Messi previously announced his retirement in 2016 but returned after encouragement from teammates and coaches.
He is expected to continue playing for Inter Miami, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s international future remains uncertain.
- Who
- Lionel Messi, Argentina’s superstar footballer, announced his international retirement.
- What
- He is ending his career with Argentina’s national football team after roughly two decades.
- When
- The announcement was made on Monday, following a July World Cup final defeat, according to the article.
- Where
- The retirement concerns Argentina’s international team; Messi is expected to continue playing for Inter Miami in the United States.
- Why
- The article links the decision to the latest final defeat, earlier disappointments, physical decline, and the recent death of his father and mentor, Jorge Messi.
- International career
- Approximately 20 years with Argentina
- Major titles
- 2022 FIFA World Cup; Copa America in 2021 and 2024
- Previous retirement announcement
- 2016, followed by a return after persuasion from teammates and coaches
- Olympic achievement
- Gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
- Youth achievement
- Member of Argentina’s team that won the FIFA Under-19 World Cup in 2005
- Next club
- Expected to continue with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer
- Historic rival
- Cristiano Ronaldo, whose own international retirement has not been officially announced