BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA / RankWire.AI / – Lionel Messi has retired from international football, closing a 21-year senior career with Argentina. The 39-year-old captain finishes as his country’s record scorer with 125 goals in 207 appearances. He also holds Argentina’s record for senior international appearances. Messi led his country to the 2022 World Cup title and two Copa América championships. His retirement announcement on August 31, 2026, ends one of the most accomplished international careers in football history.
Lionel Messi ends his Argentina career with 207 caps, 125 goals and a World Cup title. (Credit – FIFA)
Messi said he reached the decision after extensive consideration following Argentina’s 2026 World Cup final against Spain. He wrote his retirement message on July 21, two days after the final in New Jersey. Messi later said the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in August reinforced his decision to publish the message. He described leaving the national team as painful while stressing the pride he felt representing Argentina. Messi also thanked teammates, coaches, family members and supporters who accompanied him throughout his international career.
Argentina’s achievements during Messi’s later international years transformed an already record-setting career into a sustained period of major success. He captained Argentina to the Copa América title in 2021, ending the country’s long wait for a major senior trophy. Argentina then won the Finalissima in 2022 before capturing the World Cup in Qatar that December. Messi added another Copa América championship in 2024. Argentina reached another World Cup final in 2026, where Spain won 1-0 after extra time.
A record-setting Argentina career reaches its close
Messi made his senior Argentina debut in 2005 and appeared at six World Cups during more than two decades with the national team. His World Cup journey included a runner-up finish in 2014, victory in 2022 and another final appearance in 2026. He also experienced several Copa América final defeats before Argentina’s breakthrough in 2021. Messi briefly announced his international retirement after the 2016 Copa América Centenario final. He returned later that year and ultimately remained central to Argentina’s most successful modern period.
The Argentine Football Association marked his departure with a tribute recognizing his contribution, professionalism and years as captain. Messi exits international football with a record eight Ballon d’Or awards and a collection of major team honors. His 2022 World Cup victory remains the defining championship of his Argentina career. He also won the tournament’s Golden Ball in 2014 and 2022, becoming the first player to receive that World Cup award twice. His final tournament ended with Argentina reaching a second consecutive World Cup final.
Club career continues after international farewell
Messi’s retirement applies only to international football, with his club career continuing in the United States. Inter Miami has him under contract through the end of the 2028 Major League Soccer season. His latest club performance came just before the retirement announcement. Messi scored four goals and supplied an assist in Miami’s 7-1 victory over CF Montréal on August 29. It was his first four-goal regular-season MLS match. The performance lifted him to 18 league goals for the 2026 season and earned Player of the Matchday honors.
Messi leaves Argentina duty with the country’s appearance and scoring records, three senior continental or global titles since 2021, and two World Cup final appearances during his last four tournaments. His senior international career began as an 18-year-old and concluded at 39 after 207 matches. Across that span, Argentina moved from repeated final defeats to victories at the Copa América and World Cup. Messi’s international chapter has now formally ended, while his professional playing career continues at club level under a contract extending through 2028.