Lionel Messi officially announced his retirement from international football on Monday, August 31, 2026. The 39-year-old forward stated that while the decision was painful, he believes it is the right time to step away from representing Argentina.
Messi led his national team to a second consecutive World Cup final in July 2026, where they were defeated 1-0 by Spain. This followed his historic victory in the 2022 World Cup, where he captained Argentina to a penalty shootout win against France in Doha.
Reflecting on his career, Messi expressed that he had always given his absolute best for the national team. While he is retiring from international play, he remains under contract with his Major League Soccer club, Inter Miami, through the 2028 season.
