
Lionel Messi announces international retirement from Argentina national team
Lionel Messi officially announced his international retirement from the Argentina national team on Monday, August 31, 2026. At 39 years old, the Albiceleste captain concludes a career spanning over two decades with the national squad. Messi made the announcement on his Instagram account. With 207 caps and 125 goals for Argentina, Messi leaves a team with which he achieved significant successes, including the 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar against France, and two Copa Am茅rica titles. His decision follows the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina reached the final before losing to Spain 1-0 after extra time. Messi concludes his international career with an exceptional record, including being the most capped player and the all-time leading scorer for the Argentine national team. His departure marks the end of an era for the Albiceleste, after more than twenty years during which the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner profoundly impacted the history of Argentine and world football.



