Messi Ends Argentina Career After Leading Team to 2022 World Cup Victory
Developing story first seen 1 hour ago
Lionel Messi has confirmed his international retirement in a new statement, revealing he actually wrote the decision on 21 July, two days after Argentina's World Cup final defeat by Spain, and that the recent death of his father, Jorge, aged 68, made him "even more convinced" about stepping away. The 39-year-old Argentina captain, who led the country to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, said he has "nothing left to give" and wants to make way for emerging young talent, describing the decision as one that "hurts me deeply" despite his enduring love for the national team.
Messi retires as Argentina's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 125 goals in 207 appearances, and an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner who also won two Copa America titles. He is the second-highest World Cup goalscorer in history with 21, behind France's Kylian Mbappe, and sits second for international goals overall behind Cristiano Ronaldo's 146; at this year's World Cup he scored eight goals and added four assists, taking his tournament assist tally to a record 12. He first retired from international duty in 2016 following a Copa America final defeat before reversing that decision, and will continue playing club football for Inter Miami, where his contract runs until the end of 2028.
- Messi says he wrote his retirement decision on 21 July, after the World Cup final loss
- His father's death, aged 68, reinforced the decision, he said
- Retires as Argentina's all-time top scorer with 125 goals, contract at Inter Miami continues to 2028
New here? Start with this
Messi's decision brings to a close nearly two decades representing Argentina, during which he became one of the most celebrated footballers in the sport's history. Despite widespread individual acclaim, a men's World Cup win had eluded both Messi and Argentina for years, fuelling debate over his legacy until the team's triumph in Qatar in 2022.
That victory, achieved with Messi as captain, is widely regarded as the high point of his international career and a defining moment for Argentine football. His retirement from the national side now marks the end of that chapter, distinct from his ongoing club career, and opens the door for a new generation of players to lead Argentina forward.
Coverage