Lionel Messi Retires from International Soccer After World Cup Triumph and 125 Goals

Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international soccer, bringing an end to a remarkable 21-year career with the national team. The 39-year-old Messi announced his decision on Monday, August 31, 2026, saying that the time had come to end his international career.

Messi’s greatest achievement with Argentina came in 2022, when he led the team to World Cup glory in Qatar. He had previously guided Argentina to the World Cup final in 2014 and once again led the team to the final of the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina, however, lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain in extra time.

“It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deeply — but I understand that the time has come,” Messi wrote in a post on Instagram.

A 21-year international career

Messi finishes his Argentina career with 207 appearances and 125 goals, making him the country's all-time leading scorer. He scored 21 goals in World Cup matches.

Only one player has scored more goals in men's international soccer: Messi's longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 146 goals for Portugal. Ronaldo has not announced his retirement from international soccer.

Messi played in a record-tying six World Cups, establishing himself as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

His international career included major titles such as the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América.

‘I always gave it my all’

In his farewell message, Messi said he had always given everything for Argentina.

“I always gave it my all — not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too,” he wrote.

Messi said he always fought for the national-team jersey and left everything on the field in an effort to bring joy to Argentine fans and make them proud.

Messi wrote his retirement letter two days after the World Cup final

Messi revealed that he wrote his retirement letter on July 21, 2026, two days after the World Cup final.

However, he did not publish the letter immediately because his father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi, was facing serious health problems.

Jorge Messi died on August 8, 2026, in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.

Nearly three weeks later, on August 31, 2026, Messi publicly announced his retirement from international soccer.

Messi will continue playing for Inter Miami

Although Messi has retired from international soccer, he is not retiring from professional football altogether.

He will continue playing at club level for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Messi's international career has placed him alongside Argentine icon Diego Maradona and Brazilian legend Pelé in discussions of the greatest players in soccer history.

His 2022 World Cup triumph completed a career that had already included numerous individual records and major international honors.

With his announcement on August 31, 2026, Messi formally closed one of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of Argentine soccer.