Argentina captain Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football barely one month after his country’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi, who captained Argentina in his sixth World Cup campaign, confirmed the decision on Monday, ending one of the most remarkable international careers in football history.
The Inter Miami forward said the decision was painful but acknowledged that the time had come to step away from the national team.
Messi wrote, in an official statement posted on his Instagram account: “After all this time since the final match, and after long reflection, I want to announce to everyone that I have decided to retire from playing with the national team.”
He added: “It was a painful decision, and it still hurts me deep down, but I realise that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave everything I had, not only during the recent years in which we achieved everything, but before that too, and I always fought and gave all I have for this shirt, to make you happy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”
