Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, ending a record-breaking career with the national team.
The 39-year-old made the announcement on Monday, bringing an end to more than two decades representing Argentina.
Messi made his senior international debut in 2005 and leaves the national team as its record appearance holder and leading scorer, with 207 caps and 125 goals.
His career with Argentina reached its peak in 2022 when he captained the team to World Cup glory in Qatar, four years after winning the Copa América in 2021. He later helped Argentina retain the continental title in 2024.
He also featured in Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final, where they were beaten 1-0 by Spain after extra time.
Messi’s international career was marked by both major triumphs and painful defeats. He briefly retired from international football in 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa América final to Chile, but returned to the national team and went on to achieve the honours that had eluded him.
His retirement from Argentina does not mean an end to his playing career. Messi remains a professional footballer with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
For Argentina, his departure marks the end of an era for a player widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history.
