Argentina star Lionel Messi has announced that he is retiring from the country’s national team following their second place finish in the 2026 World Cup.
“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 said in a statement on Instagram. “It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come. 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.”
Throughout his time on the national team, Messi won one World Cup trophy in 2022 and two runner-up medals in 2014 and 2026, as well as winning the Golden Ball as the top player in 2014 and 2022. He also won two Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024 and three runner-up medals in 2007, 2015, and 2016, as well as the Golden Ball in 2015 and 2021.
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here,” he wrote. “”Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad — especially the bad).
“Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey — so beautiful, yet so difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I’ve shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.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!”
“Thank you, God, for making me Argentine,” he concluded. “Let’s go, Argentina!”
This announcement comes after Messi suffered the devastating loss of his father, Jorge Messi, who died on Aug. 8 at a hospital in the central Argentine city of Rosario at the age of 68. He revealed in his note that he wrote the message two days after the final, and that the passing of his father solidified the decision.
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