Lionel Messi announces international retirement from Argentinian national team
Football legend Lionel Messi announced his international retirement from the Argentinian national team on Monday, August 31, 2026, weeks after their defeat in the 2026 World Cup final. Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, stated on Instagram that the decision, though painful, felt like the right time. The 39-year-old, who currently plays for Inter Miami, had previously retired from international football in 2016 before returning for the 2018 World Cup and winning the title four years later in Qatar. His decision follows the 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain on July 19 in New York and the recent death of his 68-year-old father, Jorge Messi, which he mentioned in mid-August had affected him deeply, leading him to believe he would not play "much longer."