Messi retires from Argentina national team
Argentine legend Lionel Messi, 39, has retired from international soccer. He ends his 21-year career as Argentina's all-time top scorer with 125 goals.
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday. The 39-year-old Argentine superstar ends a 21-year national-team career that was capped by winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He stated on his Instagram account that it was a difficult decision. He will continue to play at club level for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Messi played in a record-tying six World Cups. He led Argentina to the final in 2014 and again this year, where they lost to Spain in extra time in New Jersey. His journey places him alongside compatriot Diego Maradona and Brazil's Pelé in the pantheon of the sport's greatest players. Fans can review his incredible career stats.
A Record-Setting Career
Messi's international statistics cement his legendary status. He played 207 games for Argentina, finishing as its all-time leading scorer with 125 goals. His rival, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, has 146 international goals and has not yet retired.
His World Cup record is also historic. Messi scored 21 goals across the tournaments. He briefly became the all-time leading World Cup scorer during the recent competition hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, but finished one goal behind France's Kylian Mbappé. His final tournament appearance is part of our comprehensive fixtures archive. Messi wrote that he always gave it his all and left everything on the field.
The Decision and the Journey
Messi explained he wrote his retirement letter on July 21, just two days after the World Cup final where he struggled to make an impact. He delayed the announcement because his father, Jorge Messi, was facing serious health issues. Jorge Messi died on August 8 in Rosario.
His national team debut came at age 18, two months after starring at the 2005 world under-20 championship. That first appearance lasted only two minutes; he was sent off as a substitute against Hungary in Budapest.
The path was not always smooth. Messi briefly retired from Argentina duty in 2016 after three consecutive defeats in major finals. The breakthrough came with the 2022 World Cup victory, flanked by Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.
Reactions to a Legend's Exit
The retirement prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the football world and Argentina.
Argentina President Javier Milei wrote on Instagram to thank him. FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Messi for an extraordinary international career that has inspired millions of people and redefined the sport.
The Argentine Football Association expressed gratitude for Messi representing Argentina and making the country dream.
Teammates were equally effusive. Rodrigo De Paul highlighted Messi's unconditional love for the country and his leadership. Leandro Paredes called him the greatest of all time. Defender Cristian Romero said he would always be grateful for the impact Messi had on him and on the country.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, speaking during the recent World Cup, simply called him pure history.
Messi concluded his announcement by thanking the fans for all the love over the past 20 years, saying he would miss hearing them.
