Chicago – August 31, 2026
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, ending a historic 21-year international career with an emotional message saying he has “nothing left to give.”
The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward confirmed the decision on Monday, 31 August 2026, in a handwritten letter shared on Instagram that he originally drafted two days after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
“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 described the choice as one that “hurts deep in my soul” but insisted “the time has come.”
Messi leaves as Argentina’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals, and a trophy haul that includes the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles. He said younger players now deserve the chance to wear the Albiceleste shirt.
While stepping away from international duty, Messi will continue his club career with Inter Miami through 2028.
