Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football with Argentina after an illustrious career spanning more than two decades.
The 39 year old Inter Miami forward confirmed his decision after earning 207 caps for the national team since making his debut in 2005.
Messi leaves international football as a World Cup winner, having led Argentina to glory in Qatar in 2022. He also won two Copa América titles and finished as a World Cup runner up in 2014 and 2026.
Explaining his decision, Messi said the time had come to close the chapter despite the emotional difficulty of walking away from the national team.
“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep down, but I understand that the time has come,” he said.
Messi stressed that he had always given everything for Argentina and was proud of his contribution to the national team.
“Time is fleeting, chapters come to an end, and this is one that deeply affects me. I love, have loved, and will always cherish being part of the national team,” he added.
The Argentine captain also pointed to the emergence of a new generation of players who deserve an opportunity to represent the country.
“I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to offer, and moreover, there are some exceptional young players emerging who deserve this opportunity,” Messi said.
Messi revealed that the death of his father, Jorge, earlier this month had also caused him to reconsider his future with Argentina.
He further disclosed that physical limitations influenced his decision, particularly during Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain in July.
“My legs could no longer continue,” Messi stated, explaining that he had tried to push himself beyond his physical limits but could not.
Messi currently plays for Inter Miami and remains under contract with the Major League Soccer club until 2028.
