Lionel Messi Announces Retirement From Argentina National Team

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Lionel Messi announced the end of his career as a player for the Argentine national team at age thirty-nine (39), a short while ago this morning (Monday 31st August, 2026). The news comes after nearly two (2) decades representing the national side. 

Messi, who played in six (6) World Cups, won the tournament in Qatar 2022 and led Argentina to the final in 2026, losing to Spain, made the announcement in Spanish via Instagram, along with a photo of his 3-page handwritten statement.

(Click/Tap Image To Enlarge)

See his full statement below, translated into English:

“After all this time since the final, thinking about it a lot, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the national team…

It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deeply, but I understand that the time has come. I swear I always gave everything—not only during these last few years when we won everything, but before that as well. I always fought and gave my all for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

There is little time left, and chapters are coming to an end, and this is one that hurts me a lot. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had; I have nothing more to give. And besides, there are some very talented young players coming through who deserve to be there.

Thank you for all the love over these 20 years. I am going to miss hearing you from inside the stadium very much. Now I will be one of you, always cheering and supporting from the outside (in the good times and the bad, even more so).

Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this beautiful but difficult journey.

Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official whom I had the opportunity to share this journey with. I am taking with me unforgettable memories and moments that I will cherish forever.

I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, moments we could only dream of. It was crazy to have lived it all with you.

I love you all!

Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.

Let’s go, Argentina!

*I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my father, I am more convinced than ever.”

More on this as it becomes available.

[Source: The Associated Press]

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