When Argentina’s Lionel Messi walked off the pitch after a devastating 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in July, many assumed it was for the last time in international play. Now, it’s official.
Messi, 39, announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday, August 31, sharing a letter via Instagram that he wrote two days after the World Cup ended.
“After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team,” he wrote in the letter.
Messi continued, “It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come. 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.”
Messi retires as one of only three players ever to appear in three World Cup title matches, leading Argentina to the win in 2022 and another runner-up appearance in 2014. He also has the most goals in World Cup history with 18.
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply,” Messi wrote. “I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the National Team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.”
Messi then thanked fans and family for their support over the years.
“Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years,” he said. “I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad — especially the bad).”
Messi continued, “Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey — so beautiful, yet so difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I’ve shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.”
“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — alongside my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of,” he concluded. “It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you!”
In a post-script, Messi revealed he wrote the letter on July 21.
“Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before,” he explained.
Lionel’s father, Jorge Messi, died on August 8 at age 68.
“All I ever did was play football, and now I have a fair few doubts as to whether I’ll carry on doing it for much longer,” Messi wrote in a separate letter to his dad, which he shared via Instagram on August 12. “You were by my side from the start, we were so close to the end (of his career). Why didn’t you hang on just that little bit longer so we could finish it together?”
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