Lionel Messi announced on Monday that he was hanging up the Argentina jersey—that he was retiring from the world of international football on Monday.
This comes years after being widely recognised for 'completing football' by leading the Argentina football team to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, followed by a Copa America win in 2024 and a stellar performance in the 2026 World Cup.
"I always fought and gave everything for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football," he wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post on Monday.
Time is running short and chapters are closing, and this is one that hurts me deeply ... I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are amazing young players coming up behind me who deserve to be here ... I leave with the peace of mind and the pride of having given you, together with my teammates, dreamlike moments. It was incredible to have lived it with you. I love you guys!" he added, thanking everyone involved in his 21-year-old international football career.
The 39-year-old’s final appearance for Argentina was the team's loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup—the sixth of his career. The tournament also saw him become only the third player (after Brazil’s Cafu) to appear in three or more men’s World Cup finals.
(More details are awaited.)
