NEWSLionel Messi Hangs Up His Argentina Jersey for Good as He Announces Retirement From National Team in Emotional Farewell
Lionel Messi, 39, announced on Instagram on Monday, August 31, that he's retiring from the Argentina national team after a 21-year run.
Aug. 31 2026, Published 4:23 p.m. ET
Lionel Messi is retiring from the Argentina national soccer team.
The 39-year-old announced his decision (via TMZ) to step away from international soccer in an emotional message to fans on Monday, August 31, closing a 21-year run in the country's blue and white.
He made clear he isn't retiring from the sport entirely and will continue playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
A Decision After Weeks of Reflection
The soccer star spent weeks weighing his future after Argentina's loss to Spain in this summer's World Cup final, and will now support the team as a fan.
Messi said he spent weeks weighing his future before reaching the decision. The choice came after Argentina's loss to Spain in this summer's World Cup final, he said, and he ultimately concluded it was time to walk away from the national team. He said the decision hurts him a lot, but that he’s proud of everything he experienced and accomplished with Argentina.
He thanked those who supported him over the years. In his message, Messi expressed gratitude to his family, teammates, coaches and the fans who backed him throughout his international career. He said he would now support Argentina from the other side, as a fan.
His Father's Death Weighed on Him
His father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi, died in early August at 68 after a long illness, which he said made him more certain about stepping away.
Messi said the recent death of his father, Jorge Messi, made him more certain about stepping away. Jorge, who was also his longtime agent, died in early August at 68 after a long illness. Lionel had signaled in the days afterward that he was reconsidering his future in the game.
The loss came weeks after the World Cup final, compounding an already difficult stretch. Lionel had said at the time that he had serious doubts about how much longer he would keep playing, and his announcement of his retirement resolved that question for his international career while leaving his club future intact.
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Argentina's All-Time Leader
He debuted for Argentina in 2005 and leaves as the country's all-time leader in appearances and goals, with 207 matches and 125 scores, and captained the 2022 World Cup win.
Lionel departs the national team as its most decorated and prolific player. He made his Argentina debut in 2005 and leaves as the country's all-time leader in both appearances and goals, with 207 matches and 125 goals across two decades.
The high point came in 2022, when the soccer star captained Argentina to the World Cup title, finally claiming the trophy that had eluded him throughout his career. His final match in the national team jersey came in this summer's World Cup final against Spain.
He'll Keep Playing for Inter Miami
The retirement applies only to international soccer, as he remains under contract with Inter Miami, the MLS club he joined in 2023.
The retirement applies only to international soccer. Lionel remains under contract with Inter Miami, the MLS club he joined in 2023, and is expected to continue his club career. His arrival in Major League Soccer reshaped the league's profile and drew record attention to the sport in the United States.
Lionel is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game, having won a record number of Ballon d'Or awards and league titles across his years in Europe with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain before moving to the United States. His international retirement closes one of the most decorated chapters in soccer history.
