Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Lionel Messi Retires From International Football After Historic Argentina Career
Lionel Messi has stopped playing international football for Argentina at age 39.
He played for the national team for 21 years.
Messi appeared in 207 matches and scored 125 goals, more than any other Argentine player.
He once retired after losing important finals, but he came back and kept trying.
Argentina then won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024 and the World Cup in 2022.
Messi also helped Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final, although the team lost to Spain.
He said losing his father, Jorge, in August made him more certain it was time to stop.
Messi will continue playing club football for Inter Miami.
Fans and football figures around the world have thanked him for his remarkable career.
Lionel Messi has retired from international football at age 39 after 21 years with Argentina.
He leaves as Argentina’s record appearance holder with 207 caps and leading scorer with 125 goals.
Messi won the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, the 2022 World Cup and an Olympic gold medal.
His international career included a 2016 retirement announcement, followed by a return and four major senior titles.
Messi said his father Jorge’s death in August helped cement his decision to step away from Argentina.
- Who
- Lionel Messi, Argentina’s captain and record international scorer, is retiring from the national team.
- What
- Messi is ending his international football career after 207 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina.
- When
- He announced the decision 43 days after Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final; he said his father died in August.
- Where
- Messi represented Argentina internationally and most recently played in the 2026 World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
- Why
- Messi said the decision was painful but right, and that his father’s death helped cement it; he also cited talented younger players coming through.
- International career
- 21 years with Argentina, beginning with his senior debut in 2005.
- Appearances
- 207 international caps, the most in Argentina’s history.
- Goals
- 125 goals, making Messi Argentina’s all-time leading scorer.
- Major titles
- The 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles and the 2022 World Cup.
- World Cup record
- A record 34 World Cup appearances and 21 World Cup goals.
- Previous retirement
- Messi announced his international retirement in 2016 after Argentina lost another Copa América final, then returned six weeks later.
- Club future
- His Inter Miami contract runs through the end of the 2028 season.
