Lionel Messi has just announced his retirement from international football this Monday on his Instagram account, posting an emotional handwritten letter that marks the end of a twenty-year chapter with Argentina and one of the greatest international careers the sport has ever seen.
The 39-year-old, who first pulled on the albiceleste shirt in 2005, explained that he had given the decision careful thought in the weeks since Argentina’s extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final on 19 July in New Jersey, a match that became his 207th and last appearance for his country.
He revealed he first drafted the words on 21 July, two days after that heartbreaking 1-0 loss in which Spain’s Ferran Torres scored the winner in the 106th minute, but waited until now to make the announcement public. The death of his father and long-time agent Jorge Messi on 8 August at the age of 68 after a long illness left him even more certain that the moment had arrived.
In the letter he wrote: “Now that some time has passed since the final, having thought it over carefully, I want to tell you all that I am retiring from the national team. It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts — deep in my soul, but I realise that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave my all – not just in recent years when we won everything, but before that too – and I always fought hard and gave my all for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football. There’s not much time left and chapters are coming to a close; this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given my all; I’ve nothing left to give, and besides, there are some brilliant young players coming through who deserve their place. Thank you for all the love over these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you all from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, always cheering you on and supporting you from the sidelines (through thick and thin – especially the tough times). Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this beautiful yet difficult journey. Thank you to every single coach, team-mate and official I’ve had the privilege of sharing this journey with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments. I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my team-mates, moments we could only have dreamed of. It was incredible to have experienced it all with you. I love you all! Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Come on, Argentina! *I wrote these words on 21 July, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced than before.”
With 125 goals he departs as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, having featured in six World Cups—the joint-most by any man alongside Cristiano Ronaldo—and three finals, becoming only the second player after Brazil’s Cafu to reach that mark.
During the 2026 tournament he scored eight goals and provided four assists, briefly becoming the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer before Kylian Mbappé overtook him, and he collected the Silver Ball. While his international story ends, Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami through 2028 and has previously said he will keep playing club football as long as he can still perform and enjoy the game.
