It is the end of an era for Argentina’s national team, and indeed for world football, as Argentina captain Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international duty.

Having won the World Cup in 2022, reached this year’s final, and lifted the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, as well as the Finalissima in 2022, Messi will never again pull on the shirt of the Albiceleste, as Argentina’s national team is known.

Messi made the announcement on social media with an emotional message, accompanied by a video charting his entire journey with the national side.

He leaves after 207 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina.

Messi’s statement in full

“After all this time that has passed since the final, and after a great deal of thought, I want to announce to everyone that I am retiring from the national team…

It was a decision that hurt me, and it still hurts, right to the depths of my heart, but I understand that this is the right moment. I swear that I always gave my very best, not only in recent years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you proud to be Argentine through football.

Breaking: Lionel Messi announced that he is retiring from the Argentina national team. pic.twitter.com/AKlQtS5g7i

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 31, 2026

There is not much time left, and chapters are closing, and that is what pains me deeply. I love, I have always loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I have given everything. I have nothing more to give, and besides that, there are some great young players coming up behind me who deserve to be there.

Thank you for all the love and support over these 20 years. I will miss hearing all of you from inside the stadium. Now I will simply be one of you, cheering you on and supporting you, through good times and bad, even more so.

GRACIAS PARA TODA LA VIDA 💙🇦🇷

El EMOTIVO video que subió Lionel Messi tras anunciar su retiro de la Selección Argentina. pic.twitter.com/hvFgppoTXF

— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) August 31, 2026

Thank you to my family, who were always there, who accompanied me on this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to every coach, teammate and director with whom I had the pleasure of sharing this experience. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.

I leave with the calm and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, some truly dream-like moments. It was incredible to share this with you. I love you!

Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.

Come on, Argentina!

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

Argentina: Thank you, captain

In a statement posted online, Argentina’s national team thanked Messi for everything.

“Thank you for giving us the most beautiful journey of our lives. Your legacy and your professionalism will forever remain etched in our hearts.

Thank you, captain. We love you.”

Messi se retira de la Selección.

Gracias por tantas alegrías, capitán. ❤️🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/N8XLxUsigL

— Ilusión Albiceleste (@albicelesteilu) August 31, 2026