Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, stepping away from the Albiceleste after more than two decades putting on the blue-and-white shirt."After the time that passed since the final, thinking about it a lot, I want to communicate to everyone that I am retiring from the national team," Messi wrote on Instagram."It was a decision that hurt and hurts in a soul, but I understand that this is the moment. I swear to you that I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before as well and I always fought and left everything on the field for this shirt, to give you all joys and make you feel proud to be Argentines through soccer."Messi lifted the World Cup with Argentina in 2022 and recently pushed the team to a runner-up finish at the 2026 tournament. He also led Argentina to back-to-back wins at the Copa América in 2021 and 2024. Before that, Argentina hadn't won South America's continental championship since 1993.He retires with 125 goals in 207 matches for Argentina. He scored 71 goals in 147 official matches, games that were part of a tournament like the World Cup, Copa América or World Cup qualification.While Messi retires from international play as an Argentine icon, his journey with Argentina has not always been smooth.A major trophy eluded Messi for many years, and he frustratedly announced his retirement from the national team one decade ago."In the locker room, I thought, 'That's it. The national team is over for me,'" he told reporters with a nervous laugh as he choked back tears after defeat to Chile in the final of the 2016 Copa América Centenario.To the delight of Argentines - even those who lobbed insults at him for coming up short - Messi was coaxed back and was able to deliver the third World Cup title and increase his country's Copa América haul.There was widespread speculation that the 2026 World Cup would be Messi's last, though the superstar still excelled at age 39. Messi scored eight goals in the tournament, more than all but top scorer Kylian Mbappe, and was a huge factor in getting Argentina to the World Cup final, where it fell 1-0 to Spain in extra time.But what was not clear was whether or not he would try to participate in the 2028 Copa América, or even push for a spot as a veteran leader in the 2030 World Cup team. Current plans call for the 2030 World Cup to start in South America with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay each hosting one match.Messi hinted at the decision earlier in August in a letter to his father Jorge, who died at age 68 after fighting an illness that kept him from attending the 2026 World Cup in person. Messi's Instagram post is of words he'd written two days after the World Cup final, but the former FC Barcelona and PSG star said his father's death made him only more firm in the way he was feeling shortly after that match.The Argentine federation is expected to conduct a tribute match for Messi. The country's most important training facility already carries Messi's name, but other honors are sure to come.What does it mean to retire from international soccer?While the decision means Messi will no longer play for Argentina, he will continue to play club soccer. Currently, he suits up for Inter Miami, with his contract running through the 2028 MLS season.Messi scored four goals against CF Montreal this weekend and currently leads the league with 18 goals scored.International soccer can be demanding, with players like Messi leaving their clubs during specific dates when international matches take place. Messi and other stars have chartered planes to shorten their travel time and help speed their recovery.Now, the 39-year-old will be able to stay home or go on vacation during summers and other periods when national teams are in action.Messi's retirement letter in fullAfter the time that passed since the final, thinking about it a lot, I want to communicate to everyone that I am retiring from the national team...It was a decision that hurt and hurts in a soul, but I understand that this is the moment. I swear to you that I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before as well and I always fought and left everything on the field for this shirt, to give you all joys and make you feel proud to be Argentines through soccer.There's little time left and eras are ending, and that's what hurts me a lot. I love, I loved and I always will love being in the national team. I emptied myself out, I don't have anything left to give and beyond that really great guys are coming who deserve to be there.Thank you for all the love in these 20 years. I'm going to miss hearing you from inside. Now, I'll be one more of you, supporting and backing always from the outside (in the good times and even more in the bad).Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to every one of the coaches, teammates and directors I crossed paths with. I take memories and unforgettable moments experienced with me.I am going with the peace and pride of having, along with my teammates, given you moments you dreamed about. It was nuts to experience them with you. I love you.Thank God for making me Argentine.¡Vamos Argentina!* These are the words I wrote July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my father, I'm more convinced than before.