Lionel Messi has brought his career with the Argentina national team to an end.
The 39-year-old Inter Miami star announced his decision in an Instagram post, describing it as a painful decision, but one that he believes has come at the right time.
“It was a decision that hurt me, and it still hurts me deeply, but I understand that the time has come,” Messi wrote.
He said that throughout his career wearing the Argentina shirt, he had given everything and fought to make the fans proud.
“I gave everything I had; I have nothing left to give. Besides, there are very talented young players coming through who deserve their place,” he stated.
Messi’s decision comes several weeks after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina reached the final but were defeated 1-0 by Spain. That match turned out to be his final appearance for the national team.
Messi ends his international career with one of the greatest legacies in the history of football. He won the FIFA World Cup in 2022, two Copa América titles, in 2021 and 2024, as well as the Finalissima in 2022. In 207 appearances for Argentina, Messi scored 125 goals, becoming both the national team’s all-time leading scorer and its most-capped player.
The decision also came following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, earlier this month. After the World Cup final defeat, Messi had hinted that he was seriously considering his future in football.
Despite stepping away from the national team, Messi will continue his club career with Inter Miami.
