Lionel Messi announces retirement from Argentina national team

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA — Lionel Messi is hanging up his jersey for Argentina.

Messi officially announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on Monday, closing the chapter on one of the greatest international careers in soccer history.

The announcement came through a post on his social media accounts, roughly six weeks after Argentina's 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

"After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I'm retiring from the national team," Messi said.

In the post, he said the decision was not an easy one.

"It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment," he said. "I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football."

Messi also shared a translated version of a longer message originally written in Spanish, where he opened up about what the national team meant to him.

"There is little left and stages are closing and this is one that hurts me a lot," he said. "I love, loved and will always love being in the national team. I emptied myself, I have nothing more to give and besides, very great young players are coming up behind me who deserve to be here."

He also took a moment to thank those who supported him throughout his 20-year run with Argentina.

"Thank you for all the affection of these 20 years," Messi said. "I'm going to miss hearing you from the inside very much. Now I'm going to be one more of you, cheering and always supporting from the outside."

Messi noted at the end of his post that he originally wrote the message on July 21, two days after the World Cup final, and said a recent personal moment involving his father made him more certain than ever about the decision.

He closed the post with a message of gratitude, saying "Thank you God for making me Argentine."

The announcement, posted on his social media accounts, comes roughly six weeks after Argentina's heartbreaking 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.