FILE-Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the MLS match between Inter Miami CF and CF Montreal at Nu Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi is retiring from playing for the Argentine national team.
Messi, 39, shared a post on Instagram announcing his retirement on Monday. The soccer great played in six World Cups, won the tournament in Qatar in 2022 and led Argentina to the final in 2026, losing to Spain.
The 39-year-old debuted for the senior national team in 2006, but his journey was fraught with frustration until he finally lifted the World Cup in 2022.
Messi social media post on retirement from playing for Argentina
What they're saying:
"It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deeply — but I understand that the time has come," Lionel 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."
"Thank you for all the love these past 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much. Now I’m going to be one of you, cheering and supporting you from the outside (through thick and thin, even more so)," said Messi.
According to The Associated Press, Messi explained that he wrote his retirement letter on June 21 — two days after losing the World Cup final — but waited to publish it because his father was facing health issues that eventually claimed his life.
The AP noted that Jorge Messi died on Aug. 8 in his native Rosario, Argentina.
"I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — along with my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of. Experiencing this with you was incredible. I love you all," he added.
Messi played for Inter Miami this weekend, scoring 4 goals in a 7-1 win over CF Montreal.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by a Lionel Messi post on Instagram and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.