Lionel Messi has brought his Argentina career to a close, ending a remarkable 21-year journey in international football. The 39-year-old confirmed his retirement through social media, marking the departure of one of the country’s most influential players.

Messi leaves behind a record that will be difficult to match. He made 207 appearances for Argentina, scored 125 goals and won the World Cup in 2022 along with Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024. His final tournament with the national side was the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina reached the final before losing to Spain in extra time.fifa+1

Messi explains his emotional decision

In his farewell message, Messi said retirement was not an easy decision. “It was a tough decision, a painful one that still wounds deep inside, but I know it’s time,” he wrote on Instagram.

The Argentina captain revealed that he had written the message on July 21, two days after the World Cup final. He did not share it immediately because his father, Jorge Messi, was seriously unwell.

Jorge Messi died in Rosario on August 8. After coping with that loss and spending more than two decades playing for Argentina, Messi decided that his time with the national team had reached its natural conclusion. He will continuing playing club football for Inter Miami in MLS.espn+1

How Messi’s Argentina story began

Messi received his first senior Argentina call-up in 2005 when he was 18 years old. His debut against Hungary was brief, as he was forced off after only two minutes on the pitch.

That difficult start did not stop him from creating an unforgettable international career. He went on to play in six World Cups, matching the all-time appearance record for the competition.

Some of Messi’s major achievements for Argentina include:

• Six World Cup appearances.

• Winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

• Reaching the World Cup final in 2014 and 2026.

• Copa America success in 2021 and 2024.

• 125 goals for the national team.

• 21 goals in World Cup matches.

Messi was also among the top scorers during the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. He briefly led the scoring chart before finishing one goal behind France’s Kylian Mbappé.

A long road to international glory

There were difficult periods in Messi’s Argentina career. In 2016, he briefly retired from international football after Argentina lost three successive major finals, including the Copa America final against Chile.

He later returned and helped change the team’s fortunes. Argentina won the Copa America in 2021 and followed that success with the World Cup title in Qatar in 2022.

Those wins changed the narrative around Messi’s international career. He went from carrying the pressure of near-misses to becoming the captain who helped Argentina lift football’s biggest trophy. His achievements also strengthened comparisons with Diego Maradona and Pelé.

Tributes for the Argentina great

Messages of appreciation arrived soon after Messi’s announcement. Argentina president Javier Milei thanked him, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised the forward for inspiring supporters across the world.

The Argentine Football Association also shared an emotional statement, thanking Messi for representing the country, making fans dream and turning many of those dreams into reality.

Teammates including Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes and Cristian Romero also paid tribute to the former captain and his contribution to the national side.

Messi continues with Inter Miami

Although Messi has retired from Argentina duty, he remains active at club level with Inter Miami. His recent form suggests he can still make a major impact, including his four-goal display in a 7-1 win against CF Montreal.

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Messi’s place in Argentina history

Messi’s international record of 207 appearances and 125 goals tells only part of the story. His rise from a teenage debutant to a World Cup-winning captain created moments that Argentina supporters will remember for generations.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni described Messi as “pure history” and a legend. His retirement closes a major chapter for the national team, but the influence of his career will remain part of football for years to come.

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Messi’s final words to supporters

Messi ended his message by thanking Argentina’s fans for the support they gave him over the last 20 years.

“Thank you for all the love these past 20 years,” he wrote. “I'm going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much. Now I'm going to be one of you, cheering and supporting you from the outside.”

He added that he was leaving with pride after sharing moments with teammates and fans that had once felt impossible. It was a fitting conclusion to a career filled with emotion, pressure, success and unforgettable memories.