Lionel Messi confirms retirement from international football
Lionel Messi has confirmed his departure from international football, drawing the curtain on a remarkable 21-year association with Argentina. The 39-year-old shared the news on Monday afternoon through an emotional Instagram post featuring a handwritten note, reports BritPanorama.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient described the move as one that still causes him profound pain, yet insisted the moment was right to step aside. His final outing in the famous blue-and-white shirt proved to be Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in this summer’s World Cup final.
Messi first represented his country in 2005 and departs as the nation’s most prolific scorer and most capped player, having amassed 125 goals across 207 appearances. His announcement arrived just weeks after the passing of his father and long-time agent, Jorge Messi, who died on 8 August aged 68 in Rosario.
In his statement, Messi wrote: “I love, loved, and will always love being on the National Team. I’ve given everything I have; I have nothing more to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up behind me who deserve to be there.” He insisted he had always committed himself fully to the cause, not merely during Argentina’s trophy-laden recent years. “I swear that I always gave my all, not just in the last few years when we won everything, but before that too,” he said.
The Instagram post carried a revealing footnote that shed light on when Messi had actually reached his decision. “I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final,” he explained. “Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced of this decision than before.” Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain on 19 July had therefore been the catalyst, with Messi putting pen to paper just 48 hours later.
The death of Jorge Messi on 8 August deepened his resolve, as the footballer had previously described his father as his closest friend and representative. Messi devoted much of his farewell message to expressing gratitude towards those who had accompanied him throughout his two decades in the national setup. “Thank you for all the love and support over these 20 years,” he wrote. “I’m going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much.”
He pledged to remain a passionate supporter of the Albiceleste, telling fans: “Now I’m going to be just one of you, cheering and supporting you from the sidelines (in good times and bad, even more so).” His family, coaching staff, and fellow players all received warm acknowledgements. “Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this beautiful but difficult journey,” he added.
Messi’s international trophy cabinet is extraordinary in its breadth. He lifted the 2022 World Cup — Argentina’s first in 36 years and their third overall — before adding the 2024 Copa América to the 2021 edition that had ended a 28-year silverware drought for the nation. His honours also include gold at the 2008 Olympic Games and victory in the 2022 Finalissima.
At club level, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s individual brilliance has been recognised more than any other player in history. With Argentina, he holds the distinction of being the highest-scoring male footballer in South American international history. His 125 goals in 207 matches represent records that may stand for a generation.
This is not the first time Messi has walked away from international duty. In 2016, after captaining Argentina to three successive final defeats without lifting a trophy, he announced his retirement from the national team. He reversed that decision before long, delivering the silverware that had eluded him.
The circumstances surrounding this latest announcement, however, carry a markedly different weight. Where his previous departure came amid frustration and heartbreak on the pitch alone, this one follows both the agony of a World Cup final loss and the devastating personal blow of losing his father. At 39, with the next World Cup four years away, a second reversal appears far less plausible. Messi’s parting words — “I have nothing more to give” — suggest this farewell is final.
