Lionel Messi has retired from the Argentina national team after a career spanning 19 years, during which he earned 207 caps and won the 2022 World Cup. The 39-year-old, who made his international debut in 2005, also won two Copa América titles and reached the 2014 and 2026 World Cup finals. In a heartfelt statement posted on social media, Messi said he had made the decision two days after the 2026 final and confirmed it after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away on August 8 at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina.

Emotional Decision Following Father’s Death

Messi revealed in his statement that the passing of his father had a significant impact on his decision to retire. He wrote that he had originally drafted the message on July 21, two days after the 2026 World Cup final, but delayed its publication until after his father’s death. In a separate statement following his father’s passing, Messi admitted he had ‘quite a few doubts’ about continuing his international career; he also described the physical toll of Argentina’s 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain, saying, ‘My legs couldn’t go on any more. This time I tried to push myself beyond my physical limits, but I couldn’t.’

Legacy and Impact on Argentine Football

Messi expressed deep gratitude to the fans, his family, and the players and coaches he worked with throughout his career. He emphasized that he always gave his all, both in the years when Argentina won major titles and before. ‘I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here,’ he wrote. He also noted that he would continue to support Argentina from the stands, saying, ‘Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad — especially the bad).’

Messi’s Continued Career with Inter Miami

Despite retiring from international football, Messi remains under contract with Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, where he has until 2028 — he recently scored four goals in a 7-1 win over CF Montreal, marking the most goals he has scored in a single MLS match. Messi’s performance in the match highlighted his enduring talent and ability to impact the game at the club level, even as he steps away from representing Argentina on the international stage.