Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from the national team. In a heartfelt statement shared on Instagram, the superstar explained that the decision followed significant reflection after the recent World Cup final. “After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team,” Messi wrote.
Reflecting on his tenure, Messi expressed the difficulty of his choice, noting that while the decision causes him pain, he feels the time is right to step away. He emphasized his lifelong commitment to the jersey, stating, “I swear to you that I always gave it my all—not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”
Messi’s international career is defined by extraordinary achievements. He secured the World Cup trophy in 2022 and claimed two Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024. His record also includes three runner-up finishes in the Copa América (2007, 2015, 2016) and two in the World Cup (2014, 2026). Furthermore, he earned the Golden Ball as the tournament’s top player during the 2014 and 2022 World Cups, as well as the 2015 and 2021 Copa América competitions.
The journey to these successes was often marked by intense pressure. For years, the Argentine public held high expectations for the team, creating a complex dynamic for Messi, who had moved to Spain as a child to play for Barcelona. However, as the titles began to accumulate, his relationship with the fans transformed. He expressed deep gratitude for their support, particularly during the 2026 World Cup held in North America. “I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside,” he added.
The decision to retire was compounded by recent personal hardships. Messi experienced professional heartbreak following the loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Shortly thereafter, he suffered the loss of his father, Jorge Messi, who had served as his agent and a central figure throughout his career—from his early days at Barcelona to his stints at PSG, Inter Miami, and his World Cup triumph. Messi had previously noted in a tribute to his father that the loss left him questioning his future in the sport.
Messi revealed that he had initially drafted his retirement statement on July 21, just two days after the World Cup final, and that his father’s passing solidified his resolve. He concluded his message by thanking his family, coaches, teammates, and officials who supported him through the challenges of his career. “I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you—alongside my teammates—moments we once only dreamed of. It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you!”
He ended his announcement with a final, poignant tribute to his heritage: “Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.” The report also notes that teammate, and official I’ve shared this path with, thank you to every coach. The report also notes that “It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come. The report also notes that his late-career success with the national team came after years of pressure from Argentina’s fans as La Albiceleste came close to winning titles but couldn’t quite get over the hump. The report also notes that “Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey—so beautiful, yet so difficult.