However, Messi is not leaving football entirely — he will continue to play for Inter Miami, [reports](https://entrevue.fr/ru/football/lionel-messi-annonce-sa-retraite-internationale-a-39-ans-la-fin-de-21-annees-avec-largentine/) Entrevue. ### "This decision still hurts me" Lionel Messi will no longer take the field wearing the Argentina national team jersey. On Monday, August 31, 2026, the 39-year-old captain of the Albiceleste announced that he is retiring from international football. The decision takes effect immediately. Thus ends a story that has lasted 21 years. During this time, Messi played 207 matches for the national team and scored 125 goals — both figures are national records. In a lengthy message posted on social media, the footballer shared his decision. Messi admitted that he thought long and hard before making the announcement. "This decision still hurts me," he wrote, adding that it was time to leave the national team. The Argentine emphasized that he gave everything to this jersey — both in difficult years and during the period of great victories that marked the end of his international career. "I have nothing more to give," Messi explained. In his opinion, now more responsibility for the future of the national team should be taken on by a new generation of Argentine footballers. At the same time, Messi does not intend to completely part ways with the national team. He promises to follow its performances as a fan now. "Now I will be one of you," wrote the footballer, who wore the captain's armband for a significant part of his career. ### The last match was the final against Spain Messi's decision became increasingly likely after the 2026 World Cup. After Argentina's defeat to Spain in the final, he did not immediately announce his future, but hinted that continuing to play for the national team was very much in question. The final took place on July 19. Argentina lost to Spain 0:1 in extra time. The decisive goal was scored by Ferran Torres in the 106th minute. Now this match will remain Lionel Messi's last game for his national team. However, the performance of the 39-year-old footballer at the World Cup showed that even at this age, he is capable of playing at the highest level. In eight matches of the tournament, Messi scored eight goals and provided four assists, once again playing a key role in Argentina's advancement to the final. In total, Messi scored 21 goals in his World Cup career. He finishes his international career as the second top scorer in the history of the World Cups, behind Kylian Mbappe, who has 22 goals after the 2026 World Cup. Messi participated in six World Cups — from 2006 to 2026 — and played 34 matches in them. ### 207 matches and 125 goals for Argentina Lionel Messi made his debut for the Argentina national team in 2005. Twenty-one years later, his final statistics stand at 207 matches and 125 goals. No other Argentine footballer has played for the national team as often or scored as many goals. However, Messi's relationship with the national team has not always been smooth. For many years, he was constantly compared to Diego Maradona. The footballer was criticized for the fact that the phenomenal successes he achieved at Barcelona were not replicated for a long time with the national team. In 2014, Argentina lost to Germany in the World Cup final. This was followed by several painful defeats in Copa America finals. After losing to Chile in the final of the Copa America Centenario in 2016, Messi announced his retirement from international football for the first time. However, that decision lasted only a few weeks. By August 2016, the footballer had changed his mind and returned to the national team. ### The return changed everything The second part of Messi's career with the Argentina national team completely changed the perception of his achievements at the international level. In 2021, he finally won the Copa America — his first major trophy with the senior national team. The following year, Argentina defeated Italy in the Finalissima, and then came the main event of Messi's international career: the Argentina national team became the 2022 World Cup champions, defeating France in the final. Two years later, in 2024, the Albiceleste won the Copa America again. Thus, Messi finishes his international career as a world champion, a two-time Copa America winner, and a Finalissima champion. Additionally, he won Olympic gold in 2008. In 2026, Messi attempted to become world champion for the second consecutive time. Argentina reached the final again, but the defeat to Spain prevented the national team captain from repeating the triumph of four years ago. ### The death of his father strengthened the decision The last weeks before the announcement of his departure were particularly difficult for Messi for personal reasons. On August 8, his father, Jorge Messi, passed away at the age of 68, who had also been the footballer's agent for many years. After his father's death, Lionel published an emotional message in which he admitted that he deeply doubted the future of his career. According to the publication, Messi began drafting his farewell message on July 21 — two days after the World Cup final. His father's death a few weeks later solidified the decision that the footballer had been contemplating for some time. ### Messi is not leaving football yet Ending his appearances for Argentina does not mean the end of Lionel Messi's professional career. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will continue to play for Inter Miami. Moreover, the 39-year-old Argentine continues to show impressive scoring ability. Last Sunday, he scored four goals and provided an assist in a match against Montreal, which ended with his team's victory of 7:1. In the current MLS season, Messi has already scored 18 goals. Thus, Messi closes only one chapter — but perhaps the most emotional — of his football biography. It began in 2005, included painful defeats, a first departure and return, years of criticism, and finally, major victories. After 207 matches and 125 goals, Lionel Messi's story in the Argentina national team jersey is complete.
