ROSARIO — Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday, ending a 21-year career with the Argentina national team. The 39-year-old forward stated that the decision was painful but necessary as he transitions to focusing exclusively on his club commitments.

"It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deeply — but I understand that the time has come," Messi said in a statement released on social media. He confirmed that he would continue to play at the club level with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where his contract runs until the end of the 2028 season.

Messi leaves as the all-time leading scorer for Argentina with 125 goals in 207 appearances. His international tenure spanned six FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026).

The announcement follows Argentina's loss to Spain in extra time in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. That defeat marked the third World Cup final appearance of Messi's career, having previously played in the 2014 and 2022 finals. In the 2022 tournament, Messi scored 7 goals and provided 3 assists, helping Argentina win their third World Cup title.

He noted that personal circumstances influenced the timing of his departure. He wrote his retirement message on July 21, two days after the World Cup final, and cited the death of his father, Jorge, on August 8 in Rosario as a factor. "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," he wrote.

His international career began with a dramatic incident on August 17, 2005, when he was sent off in his first senior appearance for Argentina, a 2-1 friendly loss to Hungary, after being shown a red card within one minute of coming on as a substitute. Over the next two decades, he helped end a 28-year title drought when Argentina won the Copa América for the first time since 1993 by defeating Brazil 3-0 in the 2021 final. The team also secured Copa América titles in 2024.

The path to those victories included setbacks, such as the 2016 Copa América final against Chile, which Argentina lost 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Messi missed a crucial penalty in that match, marking his fourth major final loss in five attempts at the time, and led to a brief retirement from international duty in 2016.

In his farewell message, Messi expressed gratitude to the fans and his teammates. "Thank you for all the love these past 20 years," he said. "I’m going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much." He added that he would now support the team from the outside, stating, "Now I’m going to be one of you, cheering and supporting you from the outside (through thick and thin, even more so)."

Tributes poured in from figures across the sports world. David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami, said on Instagram, "This is the moment we get to look back on and realize how grateful we were to witness the greatness of a young kid with a dream." Beckham added, Leo, you delivered the greatest gift to your country and, for that, your legacy will live forever. Congratulations on all you achieved for Argentina. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said, "Congratulations on an extraordinary international career which has inspired millions and redefined the beautiful game. Thank you for every unforgettable memory while wearing the colors of [Argentina] and for uniting fans across every corner of the globe."

Messi recently demonstrated his continued club form by scoring four goals in Inter Miami's 7-1 victory over CF Montreal. He remains an eight-time world player of the year and scored 21 goals in World Cups, finishing one goal behind Kylian Mbappé in all-time World Cup scoring.

Timeline

On August 17, 2005, Lionel Messi was sent off in his first senior appearance for Argentina, a 2-1 friendly loss to Hungary on August 17, 2005, after being shown a red card within one minute of coming on as a substitute. In 2016, Messi briefly retired from Argentina duty in 2016 after three defeats in consecutive major finals. On June 26, 2016, Argentina lost the 2016 Copa America final to Chile on penalty kicks, and Messi missed a penalty in the 2016 Copa America final.

On December 18, 2022, Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. On July 19, 2026, in the 2026 World Cup, Argentina reached the final for the third time in Messi's career, losing 1-0 to Spain in extra time on July 19, 2026, in New Jersey. On July 21, 2026, Lionel Messi said he wrote his retirement message on 21 July 2026, two days after the World Cup final, and that the death of his father, Jorge, in early August made him feel 'more convinced than before' about his decision. Also on July 21, 2026, Messi wrote his retirement letter on July 21.

How Sources Differ

Regarding Messi's scoring records, sources present different statistics. Primary source and Messi scored 125 goals for Argentina.

Why It Matters

Messi's retirement marks the end of an era for Argentine football, concluding a career that spanned 23 years from 2005 to 2028. His departure leaves a void in the national team's attack, as he was the primary creative and scoring force during their recent period of success, including the 2022 World Cup title and back-to-back Copa América victories. The decision reflects the physical and emotional toll of elite international competition, particularly following the recent loss in the 2026 World Cup final and the personal loss of his father.

The reaction from teammates, officials, and global sports figures shows Messi's impact beyond statistics, with many citing his perseverance and leadership as transformative for the sport. As he continues his club career with Inter Miami through 2028, his focus shifts entirely to Major League Soccer, where he has already demonstrated high-level performance. His legacy is defined not only by his record-breaking stats but by his ability to deliver major trophies to a nation that had waited decades for international glory.