Football legend Lionel Messi has formally announced his retirement from international football.
Taking to his official Instagram account on Monday, the 39-year-old said he is stepping aside from the country’s national team because there is “nothing more to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up behind me who deserve to be there”.
Lionel Messi revealed that he drafted his retirement letter just two days after Spain’s triumph in the 2026 World Cup final, adding that the passing of his father earlier this month reinforced his conviction that it was the right time to step away.
“I swear that I always gave my all, not just in the last few years when we won everything, but before as well. I always fought and gave everything for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you proud to be Argentinian through football,” the retirement post reads.
“There’s not much time left, and chapters are closing, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I loved, loved, and will always love being on the national team.
“Thank you for all the love and support over these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much. Now I’m going to be just one of you, cheering and supporting you from the sidelines (in good times and bad, even more so).”
Backstory…
Messi will retire from the Argentine national squad for the second time. Two years after losing to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, he first left in 2016. However, he quickly came back. He guided the team to the World Cup victory in Qatar in 2022.
At the age of 18, Messi earned his senior debut for Argentina in 2005. He and the team won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, and the world victory in Qatar capped off his accomplishments.
Recall that earlier in August, Jorge Messi, father and long time manager of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68, as reported by MARCA citing Argentine outlet Infobae.
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