End of an era: Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football

Mangalore Today News Network

Buenos Aires, Sep 1, 2026: Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable 21-year career with the national team. The 39-year-old star said the recent death of his father, along with Argentina’s painful 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, played a major role in his decision.

Messi made the announcement through an emotional farewell message posted on Instagram on Monday. He revealed that he had initially written the retirement note on July 21, two days after Argentina’s defeat to Spain, but the loss of his father ultimately strengthened his decision to step away from international football.

“It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deeply, but I understand that this is the right time,” Messi said in his statement.

The Argentine captain said he felt he had given everything he could to the national team and believed it was now time to make way for the younger generation.

“I swear I always gave everything — not just during the last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave my all for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine,” Messi wrote.

He thanked his family, teammates, coaches and officials who had supported him throughout what he described as a beautiful but difficult journey.

Messi leaves international football as Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 125 goals in 207 appearances. During his illustrious career, he won an Olympic gold medal in 2008, Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, the Finalissima in 2022 and, most notably, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

He also led Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, but Spain denied him and his team a second successive world title.

“Now I will be one of you, always supporting and cheering from the outside,” Messi wrote in his farewell message, concluding with: “Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Let’s go, Argentina!”

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