Lionel Messi introduced his retirement from the Argentina nationwide workforce on August 31, 2026, by a private Instagram publish that includes a handwritten assertion written in Spanish.
Messi was 39 on the time of the announcement, which happened six weeks after Argentina misplaced the 2026 FIFA World Cup last to Spain 1-0 after further time on July 19.
He retires as Argentina’s all-time main goalscorer with 125 objectives and most-capped participant with 207 appearances, and he continues to play professionally for Inter Miami in Main League Soccer.
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Lionel Messi’s Retirement Announcement
Through Instar Photographs
Messi wrote the retirement assertion on July 21, 2026, two days after the World Cup last, however didn’t publish it instantly. He launched the announcement on August 31, a number of weeks after a private tragedy. Jorge Messi, Lionel’s father, died on August 8, 2026, at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina, on the age of 68.
In a footnote connected to the Instagram publish, Messi addressed the delay immediately, writing, “I wrote these phrases on July twenty first, two days after the ultimate. In the present day, after what occurred with my dad, I’m much more satisfied than earlier than.”
The assertion opened with Messi addressing Argentina supporters in plain, unhurried language. “After the time that has handed for the reason that last, and after giving it a whole lot of thought, I need to let everybody know that I’m retiring from the Argentina nationwide workforce,” he wrote.
He went on to say, “It was a call that harm — and nonetheless hurts deep down — however I perceive that the time has come. I swear to you that I at all times gave it my all — not simply in these previous couple of years after we gained every little thing, however earlier than that too; I at all times fought and left every little thing on the sector for this jersey, to carry you pleasure and make you’re feeling proud to be Argentine by soccer.”
In his assertion, Messi described the ache of leaving worldwide soccer, writing, “Time is operating quick, chapters come to an in depth, and that is one which hurts me deeply. I really like, have liked, and can at all times love being a part of the nationwide workforce. I’ve given every little thing I had; I’ve nothing left to offer, and apart from, there are some nice younger gamers developing who need to be right here.”
The Inter Miami ahead closed the principle physique of the assertion with gratitude, writing, “Thanks for all the love over these previous 20 years. I’ll miss listening to you from the pitch a lot. Now I’ll be simply one in every of you, cheering and supporting from the skin (by the great occasions and the dangerous — particularly the dangerous).”
He thanked those that had traveled the trail with him over 20 years. “Thanks to my household for at all times being there, for accompanying me on this journey — so lovely, but so tough. Thanks to each coach, teammate, and official I’ve shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable recollections and moments.”
The assertion concluded with Messi stating, “I depart with the peace of thoughts and delight of getting given you — alongside my teammates — moments we as soon as solely dreamed of. It was an unimaginable expertise to dwell this with you all. I really like you! Thanks, God, for making me Argentine. Let’s go, Argentina!”
Messi’s Argentina Profession In Numbers
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Messi made his Argentina debut on August 17, 2005, coming into as a 63rd-minute substitute throughout a 2-1 pleasant win over Hungary, which was not the beginning anybody would have written for him.
Lower than 47 seconds after approaching, a Hungarian defender named Vilmos Vanczak grabbed his shirt; Messi’s arm linked with the defender’s face in response, and the referee produced a straight crimson card, which was broadly thought-about harsh on the time.
From that chaotic starting, Messi went on to play 207 occasions for Argentina, scoring 125 objectives, each of that are all-time nationwide information. Messi can also be the all-time main goalscorer in South American males’s worldwide soccer historical past.
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Messi’s Trophy Haul With Argentina
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Messi didn’t win trophies simply or shortly with Argentina, however once they got here, they got here unexpectedly. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner performed a central half in ending Argentina’s 28-year trophy drought with the 2021 Copa América, which the workforce gained in Brazil.
The next yr, Argentina gained the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which was the nation’s third World Cup title and its first in 36 years.
Argentina adopted that up by successful the 2024 Copa América in the US, finishing a three-title streak that gave that means to all of the years Messi stayed loyal to the nationwide workforce by heartbreak after heartbreak.
2016 Worldwide Retirement
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Lengthy earlier than he gained any trophy with Argentina, Messi had already made up his thoughts to go away. He introduced his retirement from worldwide soccer in 2016, after captaining the workforce to a few straight main last defeats.
The FC Barcelona legend introduced he was carried out with worldwide soccer proper after Argentina misplaced the Copa América Centenario last to Chile on penalties, a shootout during which he missed a spot kick. He later reversed that announcement and returned to the nationwide workforce.
The return finally produced the 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar, giving his worldwide profession the ending that had felt so elusive for thus lengthy.
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Messi’s Final World Cup In Numbers
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On the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, Messi scored 8 objectives in 8 matches and earned the Silver Ball because the event’s second-best participant. Argentina reached the ultimate on July 19 in New Jersey, the place Spain defeated them 1-0 after further time.
Ferran Torres scored the successful aim within the 106th minute, as Argentina completed the match with ten males after Enzo Fernández obtained a second yellow card. Messi performed in six World Cup tournaments from 2006 by 2026, ending his World Cup profession with 21 objectives and 12 assists in 34 appearances.
France ahead Kylian Mbappé gained the Golden Boot with 10 objectives on the 2026 event and completed with 22 profession World Cup objectives, which moved him forward of Messi into first place on the all-time males’s World Cup scoring record.
Lionel Messi’s MLS Future
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Messi’s exit from worldwide soccer is just not the top of his skilled profession.
The four-time Champions League winner continues to play membership soccer for Inter Miami in Main League Soccer, along with his contract operating by the 2028 MLS season.
Beneath the contract, Messi will play at the least two extra seasons at membership degree after ending his Argentina profession.
