Lionel Messi has officially retired from international football, bringing an extraordinary 21-year career with Argentina to a close.
The 39-year-old confirmed his decision on Monday, ending one of the most remarkable international careers football has ever witnessed.
Messi leaves the Argentina national team after 207 appearances and 125 goals, having finally delivered the trophies that once seemed beyond his reach.
From heartbreak to immortality
Messi's Argentina journey was far from straightforward.
For years, the forward endured criticism after falling short in major finals, including the 2014 World Cup and Copa América defeats in 2015 and 2016.
His international career even appeared to be over in 2016 when he briefly announced his retirement following Argentina's Copa América final defeat.
But Messi returned.
That decision ultimately changed the history of Argentine football.
The trophy that changed everything
Messi finally lifted his first major senior international trophy with Argentina at the 2021 Copa América, defeating Brazil in the final at the Maracanã.
A year later came the defining achievement.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Messi captained Argentina to glory, scoring seven goals during the tournament and producing a memorable performance in the final against France.
The World Cup triumph completed the missing piece of his international legacy.
Another Copa América follows
Argentina's success did not stop there.
Messi helped the team retain their Copa América crown in 2024, defeating Colombia in the final.
The victory established Argentina as the dominant force in international football and gave Messi another major trophy to add to his collection.
One final World Cup
Messi continued with Argentina into the 2026 World Cup at the age of 39.
He became the first player to appear at six World Cups, adding another extraordinary chapter to his career.
Argentina reached the final once again, but their defence of the trophy ended with a 1-0 defeat to Spain.
That match would ultimately prove to be Messi's final appearance for his country.
The end of an era
Messi's decision closes one of the greatest chapters in international football history.
He leaves as Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer and appearance maker, having transformed his relationship with the national team from one surrounded by frustration into one defined by triumph.
His final years with Argentina produced the greatest collection of trophies of his international career.
Now, the famous No. 10 will watch from the outside.
Messi has made it clear that his love for Argentina will not disappear with his retirement.
He will simply support the national team as a fan.
The captain has stepped away. The trophies are secured. The records belong to him. And one of football's greatest international stories has finally reached its final page.
Messi's Argentina Legacy
🇦🇷 Country: Argentina
🎽 Caps: 207
⚽ Goals: 125
🏆 World Cup: 2022
🏆 Copa América: 2021, 2024
🥈 2026 World Cup: Runner-up
🌎 World Cups: 6
👑 Argentina's all-time leading scorer: Yes
📅 International career: 2005–2026
Fan Debate
🔥 FIRE: Messi leaves international football as Argentina's greatest-ever player.
😲 SHOCK: The man who once retired without a major senior trophy eventually collected the World Cup and two Copa América titles.
⚽ GOAL: His 21-year Argentina journey became one of football's greatest redemption stories.
👍 LIKE: Messi gave Argentina the ultimate prize before finally walking away.
💬 COMMENT: The era of Messi in the famous Argentina No. 10 shirt has officially come to an end
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