Messi announces painful retirement from Argentina after two World Cup finals
Lionel Messi posted on Instagram that he is ending his international career, saying the decision deeply hurts him.
Lionel Messi used Instagram on Monday to declare his retirement from Argentina's national side, describing the choice as a painful yet appropriate moment. He stressed that he has always given his all for the jersey, not only during recent victories but throughout his entire career. Messi captained the team to a World Cup win against France in Doha in 2022 and to a 1-0 defeat by Spain in the 2026 final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The announcement arrives after the death of his father, Jorge, in August, which had sparked serious doubts about his continued participation in football. Despite ending his international duties, he stays signed with MLS club Inter Miami until the end of the 2028 season. His record for Argentina stands at 207 appearances and 125 goals, the highest in the nation's history.
Why it matters
Messi's exit ends an era for Argentina's national team and reshapes its future leadership.
How this story developed
- Aug 30 Messi nets four times as Inter Miami demolishes Montreal 7-1
- Aug 31 Messi posted a handwritten note about his father's death and then netted four goals for Inter Miami.
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