The Argentina captain revealed his decision in an emotional statement, saying that although walking away was painful, he believed the time had come to hand over responsibility to the next generation.
Messi disclosed that he had made up his mind shortly after Argentina’s 2026 World Cup final defeat to Spain. However, the death of his father, Jorge Messi, later reinforced his decision to end his international career.
Reflecting on his time with Argentina, Messi said he had always given everything for the national team and was proud of the memories created with his teammates.
“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team…”
The veteran forward thanked Argentina supporters, his family, coaches, teammates and officials who were part of his journey, describing his time with the national team as both beautiful and challenging.
He also acknowledged the emergence of younger players, saying they deserved the opportunity to represent Argentina.
Messi bows out as Argentina’s most-capped player and leading scorer, having reportedly made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals for the national side.
His international career reached its peak with Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, ending the country’s long wait for the prestigious trophy.
He also helped Argentina win the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima and Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing Games.
His retirement follows Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final, where they finished as runners-up after losing to Spain.
The decision also comes at a deeply emotional period for Messi following the death of his father, Jorge, on August 8 in Rosario, Argentina, at the age of 68.
Jorge Messi played a major role in his son’s career, serving as his representative and supporting him from his early football days in Argentina through his move to Barcelona.
His father’s health reportedly caused Messi considerable concern during the 2026 World Cup, with the family maintaining privacy around his condition.
Following Jorge’s death, Messi paid tribute to the man who had been a constant presence throughout his football journey, making his decision to leave international football even more personal.
Messi’s retirement from Argentina does not signal the end of his playing career. The forward remains with Inter Miami, where he is reportedly contracted until 2028.
While his time on the international stage is now over, Messi said he would continue supporting Argentina from outside the pitch as the national team begins a new era without its iconic number 10.
