Argentina icon Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football in an emotional statement, just over a month after his country suffered defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.

The legendary Lionel Messi scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina after making his senior debut in 2005. During his remarkable international career, he won two Copa America titles and lifted the World Cup in 2022.

The Inter Miami star confirmed his decision in an emotional social media statement.

“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…” Messi wrote.

He admitted the decision had been extremely difficult but believes the timing is now right.

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment,” he said.

Messi insisted that he had always given everything while wearing the Argentina shirt, regardless of the team’s results.

“I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner acknowledged that his international career was reaching its final chapter.

“There isn’t much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot. I love, I loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I don’t have anything more to give.”

He also highlighted the emergence of a new generation of Argentine players.

“Also, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be here.”

A legendary international career

Under Messi’s leadership, Argentina won three consecutive major international tournaments between 2021 and 2024.

Their remarkable run eventually came to an end against Spain, with Ferran Torres scoring in extra time to secure victory for La Roja.

Messi scored eight goals at the 2026 World Cup, taking his overall World Cup tally to 21. He also became the first player to score in five different editions of the tournament.

Only Kylian Mbappe, with 22 World Cup goals, has scored more.

Messi’s international legacy had already been secured long before his latest tournament.

He won the Golden Ball at the 2014 World Cup after Argentina lost the final to Germany, before becoming the first player to win the award twice when he claimed it again in 2022.

That triumph in Qatar ended Argentina’s 36-year wait for a World Cup title and cemented Messi’s status as one of the greatest players in football history.

Messi thanks Argentina supporters

In his farewell message, Messi also expressed his gratitude to the supporters who had followed his career for two decades.

“Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside. Now I’ll be one of you, always supporting from the outside, in the good times and even more in the bad ones,” he wrote.

He also thanked his family, coaches, teammates and officials who had accompanied him throughout his international journey.

“I leave with peace and pride, knowing that together with my teammates we gave you moments we once dreamed of. It was crazy to experience all of this with you. I love you!”

Messi’s decision also comes shortly after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8, an event he revealed had strengthened his decision to step away from international football.

“I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced of this decision than before,“ Messi said.

The Argentine superstar now turns his attention back to club football with Inter Miami, having recently scored four goals in a stunning 7-1 victory over CF Montreal as the MLS side continues its defence of the league title.

After more than two decades representing Argentina, Messi leaves the international stage with an extraordinary collection of records, trophies and unforgettable moments.