Lionel Messi announced on Monday that he will retire from international football, following Argentina’s run to a second consecutive World Cup final in July.
“It was a decision that hurts and still aches deep within me, but I know it’s the right moment,” Messi, 39, shared on Instagram. “I promise I always gave everything, not just in recent years when we won it all, but from the very beginning. I always battled and gave my all for this shirt.
Messi famously led Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022, defeating France in a dramatic penalty shootout in Doha. However, his team fell 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 final.
After the passing of his father Jorge in August, Messi admitted he had “serious doubts” about continuing to play football for much longer. His contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami runs through the end of the 2028 season.
