Lionel Messi Announces Retirement From International Football

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, ending his remarkable Argentina career following the team’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the July World Cup final.

The 39-year-old confirmed that he made the decision two days after the July 19 final but waited before making it public. He said the decision was painful but acknowledged that he believed the time had come to step away from the national team.

Messi leaves international football after 207 appearances for Argentina, the second-most in men’s international football, and 125 goals. His career with the national team spanned more than two decades and included some of the biggest moments in Argentina’s football history.

The Barcelona legend captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, while also winning the Golden Ball at the 2014 tournament. Argentina reached three World Cup finals during his international career.

Messi also finishes his World Cup career as the competition’s second-highest goalscorer, behind Kylian Mbappé, after surpassing Miroslav Klose’s previous tally.

His retirement comes weeks after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away in August at the age of 68 following a long illness.

Messi will continue his club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where he remains a key figure and recently scored four goals in a 7-1 victory over Montreal.