Lionel Messi has confirmed his retirement from international football, bringing an extraordinary Argentina career spanning more than two decades to an end.
Messi, who announced his decision on Monday, said he had given everything he could to his country and had “nothing more to give.”
The 39-year-old reportedly made the decision shortly after the 2026 World Cup final and said the death of his father later strengthened his resolve to step away from international duty.
Messi’s Argentina career began with the Under-20 side before he progressed to the senior national team, eventually becoming captain and leading the country through one of the most successful periods in its history.
Major Achievements and Records
- Three major international titles: Messi led Argentina to the 2021 Copa América, 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2024 Copa América.
- 185 goal involvements: He recorded 125 goals and 60 assists in 207 appearances for Argentina.
- Left-foot dominance: More than 110 of his 125 international goals were scored with his left foot.
- Six World Cups: Messi became the first player to appear at six FIFA World Cup tournaments.
- World Cup records: He holds the records for 34 World Cup appearances, 23 wins and 12 assists, as well as six goals from outside the penalty area.
- Three World Cup finals: Messi started the finals in 2014, 2022 and 2026.
- Oldest outfield player in a World Cup final: He was 39 years and 25 days old when he featured in the 2026 final.
- 35 major-tournament goals: He scored 35 goals across the World Cup, Copa América and other major continental competitions.
- 11 international hat-tricks: Messi scored 11 hat-tricks for Argentina, including one during the 2026 World Cup.
- 21 World Cup goals: He reached 21 goals at the tournament, briefly holding the men’s record before Kylian Mbappé moved ahead with 22.
The Low Points
Despite his remarkable success, Messi’s international career also featured several difficult moments.
His Argentina debut in August 2005 ended in disappointment when he was sent off less than a minute after coming on against Hungary.
He also missed three World Cup penalties after scoring seven, becoming the first player to miss two penalties at a single World Cup edition in 2026, excluding shootouts.
In 2016, Messi briefly announced his retirement from international football after Argentina lost the Copa América final to Chile. He later reversed the decision and returned to the national team.
His final chapter also lacked the fairytale ending many had imagined. Argentina’s defeat in the 2026 World Cup final meant Messi ended his international career without a fourth major international title.
Nevertheless, Messi leaves behind a towering legacy. From a controversial debut to World Cup glory, Copa América triumphs and countless individual records, his journey with Argentina helped define a golden era for the national team.
