Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Messi’s Argentina Retirement Followed Final Loss and Father’s Death
Lionel Messi decided to stop playing for Argentina’s national team.
He first wrote about the decision on 21 July, after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain.
He did not share the letter right away.
His father, Jorge Messi, then died on 8 August after a long illness.
Messi said this loss made him more certain about the decision.
His father had been his agent and had supported his football career from the beginning.
Messi leaves Argentina as its most-capped player and leading scorer.
He will continue playing club football for Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi wrote his retirement note on 21 July, two days after Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain.
He delayed publishing the note until after his father, Jorge Messi, died on 8 August at age 68.
Messi said his father’s death confirmed a decision already forming after the final rather than creating it.
After 20 years with Argentina, Messi said he had given everything and had nothing more to give.
Messi retires from international football with 207 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina, but remains under contract with Inter Miami through 2028.
- Who
- Lionel Messi, Argentina’s national team, and Messi’s father and former agent, Jorge Messi.
- What
- Messi announced his retirement from Argentina’s national team.
- When
- He wrote the decision on 21 July, after the final, and published it after Jorge Messi died on 8 August.
- Where
- The final was played in East Rutherford; Messi returned to Rosario after the match.
- Why
- Messi said he felt he had given everything after 20 years with Argentina, while his father’s death confirmed the decision.
- Retirement scope
- Messi is retiring from Argentina’s national team, not from football altogether.
- Letter date
- 21 July, two days after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
- Father’s death
- Jorge Messi died on 8 August at age 68 after a long illness.
- International appearances
- 207 for Argentina.
- International goals
- 125 for Argentina.
- Major achievements
- Six World Cups, three World Cup finals, the 2022 World Cup, Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima.
- Club future
- His Inter Miami contract runs into 2028.