Argentine football icon Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday, August 31, 2026, bringing an end to a historic two-decade career with the national team. The announcement, delivered via an Instagram post, comes seven weeks after Argentina's defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Messi, aged 39 at the time of his retirement, originally made the decision on July 21, 2026, just two days after the World Cup final. However, according to public reports regarding his personal timeline, he delayed the announcement following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in early August 2026. The exact date of Jorge Messi's death in early August 2026 is not consistently specified beyond August 8 across all published accounts.
Instagram Statement and National Career Totals
Reflecting on his departure in his Instagram post, Lionel Messi stated, "After the time that has passed since the final, thinking a lot, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the national team. It is a decision that hurts my soul but I know it is time. I can say for sure that I always gave everything, not only in the last few years when we won everything [but] before as well, and I always fought and gave everything for the shirt, to give you joy and make you proud of being Argentinian through football." He further added, "Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before."
Messi concludes his international career as Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer with 125 goals and the country's most-capped player with 207 appearances, per official match records. During his tenure, he captained Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América, the 2024 Copa América, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which ended the nation's 36-year wait for the trophy. He also led the squad to the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup before their defeat against Spain.
Precedent and Prior Retirement Reversals
This decision follows a previous temporary retirement announcement by Messi in 2016 at age 29, when he stepped away from international play after Argentina lost the Copa América final to Chile. He reversed that decision two months later, whereas this 2026 announcement is widely reported as a definitive end to his international career. Messi's trajectory with the national team has frequently drawn historical comparisons to Argentine legend Diego Maradona and Brazilian star Pelé.
His association with elite football began decades earlier when his first Barcelona contract was signed on a paper napkin in December 2000 at age 13, a piece of sports memorabilia that was later auctioned in March 2024 for £762,400, equivalent to HK$7.6 million, according to auction house records.
Teammate Tributes and Team Transition
Following the announcement, former teammates expressed public appreciation for his career with the national team. Former teammate Ángel Di María wrote, "All I know is that I was born in the right century to be able to see you, enjoy you and, above all, share with you all these years [together] with the national team." Midfielder Rodrigo de Paul added, "Thank you for making us so happy."
The retirement marks a significant transition for the Argentina National Football Team as the squad loses its most prolific goalscorer and captain. Meanwhile, Messi will continue to play club football for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, with his current contract running until the end of the 2028 MLS season.
