Lionel Messi Officially Retires From Argentina National Team

It's official: Lionel Messi has retired from playing for the Argentina national team. The announcement arrives 43 days after the 39-year-old competed in the 2026 World Cup™ Final, his sixth appearance in the tournament.

adidas Football touted Messi's most recent international competition with Argentina as "El Último Tango," releasing a special-edition F50 collection to accompany "The Last Dance." Given his performance during the month-long event, many spectators began to believe that the Inter Miami star looked strong enough to make it to another World Cup™. Messi, however, has shared that his decision to retire from representing his home country in international play was made on July 21, two days after Argentina lost to Spain in the 2026 World Cup™ Final. The passing of his father on Aug. 8 further reaffirmed to the decorated footballer that he had made the right decision.

"It was a decision that hurt me and continues to wound me deep in my soul, but I feel that this is the right moment," Messi shared through an Instagram post caption (translated from Spanish). "I swear I have always given everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that as well. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football."

Messi helped Argentina win its third World Cup™ Trophy in 2022, putting an end to the country's 36-year drought without lifting football's grandest prize.

The former FC Barcelona player first represented "La Albiceleste" in 2005. Over 20 years, Messi helped Argentina's Home shirts become some of the best-selling adidas jerseys in modern history.

"I leave at peace and proud, knowing that together with my teammates we managed to give you moments you could only dream of," Messi wrote. "It was crazy to experience all of this together with you. I love you! I thank God for making me Argentine. Come on, Argentina!"

Messi concludes his Argentina national team playing career with:

• One World Cup™ Trophy (2022)
• Two Copa América titles (2014, 2021)
• One Finalissima (2022)
• One Olympic gold medal (2008),
• One Under-20 World Cup™ (2005)

Individually, the Rosario-born superstar amassed 207 appearances during which he scored 125 goals and provided 68 assists, equaling a total of 193 goal contributions.

Goodbye, Leo.