In a shocking development, former captain and Barcelona legend, Lionel Messi, announced his retirement from his international football career, ending his journey with the Argentine national team.
The owner of 8 Golden Balls made this decision through a post on his personal page, more than 1 month after La Albiceleste won the runner-up position at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Messi says goodbye
In a long message, Messi explained in detail the reason why he decided to retire from his international career.
After all the time since the final, and after thinking a lot, I want to announce to everyone that I will retire from the national team. This is a very painful decision and still painful deep down in my heart, but I understand that this is the right time," he began.
Emphasizing that he has always devoted himself to Albiceleste throughout his career, the Barcelona icon wrote:
I swear that I have always given everything, not only in recent years when we won every title, but also before that.
I have always fought and dedicated myself wholeheartedly to this shirt, to bring happiness to you and make you feel proud to be Argentinians through football.
Going deeper into the reasons for ending his career in the national team, Messi explained:
“There is not much time left, and different chapters are gradually closing. This is a chapter that makes me extremely painful. I love, have loved and will always love the feeling of being a part of the national team. I have dedicated everything I have, and I have nothing left to give.
In addition, there are very talented young players rising up, people who deserve to be here”.
Expressing gratitude
In the final part of the message, Messi expressed his gratitude to everyone who has accompanied him on the journey with the national team.
Thank you for all the affection over the past 20 years. I will miss the feeling of listening to you from inside the pitch. Now I will be one of you, always cheering and accompanying from outside (when favorable as well as when difficult, and even more).
Thank you family for always being by my side, accompanying me on this beautiful but also challenging trip. Thank you to each coach, teammate and leadership with whom I once had the opportunity to work. I carry with me the invaluable memories and moments I have lived through.
I leave with peace and pride knowing that, together with my teammates, we have brought you moments of dreams. It is a miracle to experience all those things with you. Love everyone!
Thank God for making me Argentine... Go Argentina! I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened to my father, I decided even more firmly than before," he concluded.
A glorious career closes
For most of his international career, Messi has faced much criticism from fans due to Argentina's failures in major tournaments.
In fact, after losing 3 finals in 3 consecutive years from 2014 to 2016, the Argentine superstar once announced his retirement in that year, but a nationwide campaign persuaded him to return to the national team.
Under coach Lionel Scaloni, everything changed in a better direction, when Albiceleste ended their 28-year title drought by winning the Copa America in 2021.
A year later, Messi achieved his biggest dream of his life when leading Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup championship, before continuing to lift the Copa America trophy again in 2024.
He left the national team after 207 appearances for Argentina, scoring 125 goals.
