Lionel Messi retires from Argentina national team after 21 years

Lionel Messi has ended his career as a player for the Argentine national team at 39 years old, after two decades representing the national side.

Messi, who played in six World Cups, won the tournament in Qatar 2022 and led Argentina to the final in 2026 losing to Spain.

He made his debut for the Argentina national team in 2005 in a friendly match against Hungary.

“It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deeply, but I understand that the time has come,” Messi said on his official Instagram account. “I swear to you that I always gave it my all, not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”

“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, alongside my teammates, moments ⁠we once only dreamed of,” he added.

Following the death of his father Jorge in August, Messi had said he had “serious doubts” about continuing to play football of any sort for “much longer”.

Messi’s contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AFP and AP)