Messi announces retirement from international football with the Argentina national team

Argentine star Lionel Messi announced on Monday his retirement from international football with his national team, ending his career with “La Albiceleste” after more than two decades.

In a message posted on his social media accounts, Messi said he made the decision to retire after long deliberation following the 2026 World Cup final, emphasizing that the choice was painful but that he felt the time had come to close this chapter of his career.

He added that he had given his all in the national team jersey over the past years, not only during the recent period that saw the team win titles, noting that a new generation of young players deserves the opportunity to represent the country.

Messi expressed his gratitude to Argentine fans for their support throughout his international career, affirming that he would continue to back the national team from outside the pitch.

He revealed that he wrote his retirement message on July 21, two days after the World Cup final, before finalizing his decision and announcing his departure from the national team today.