Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football weeks after the death of his father, bringing an emotional end to a 21-year Argentina career that carried him from repeated heartbreak to World Cup glory.

The 39-year-old confirmed his decision on Instagram on Monday, posting a handwritten farewell message to Argentina supporters. Messi revealed that he had written the words on 21 July, just two days after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

 

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But the death of his father, Jorge Messi, on 8 August gave the decision an added emotional weight. In a note at the end of his message, Messi said the loss had left him ‘more convinced than before’ that it was time to walk away.

The announcement ends an international career that included three World Cup final appearances, the 2022 World Cup triumph and two Copa América titles. Messi leaves Argentina as its record appearance-maker and leading scorer, having made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals.

Messi says he has nothing left to give

Messi did not hide how painful the decision was as he said goodbye to the national team he had represented for more than two decades.

‘It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come,’ he wrote in his farewell message.

He then explained why he felt unable to continue, writing: ‘I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give.’

Messi also pointed to the emergence of a new generation of Argentine players, saying they deserved the opportunity to take their place in the national team.

His decision had already been forming before his father’s death. Messi specifically revealed that he wrote the farewell on 21 July, two days after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the World Cup final.

The timing makes his announcement particularly striking. Rather than deciding immediately after his father’s death, Messi had already reached the point of wanting to retire. The loss of Jorge Messi only strengthened that resolve.

Jorge Messi, who was his son’s father and longtime representative, died at the age of 68. His death came less than three weeks after the World Cup final and shortly before Lionel publicly confirmed a decision that had already been weighing on him.

A career transformed from heartbreak to glory

Messi’s departure closes one of the most remarkable chapters in Argentina’s football history.

For years, his international career was defined by disappointment. Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany before suffering defeats in the 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals.

After the 2016 loss, Messi briefly announced his retirement from international football. He returned months later and ultimately delivered the success Argentina had been waiting decades to see.

He captained Argentina to the 2021 Copa América title, ending a 28-year wait for a major senior men’s trophy. A year later, he helped the country win the Finalissima before leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022.

Argentina then retained the Copa América title in 2024, giving Messi another major international honour before his final World Cup campaign ended with defeat by Spain in 2026.

Messi finishes his Argentina career as the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals.

Yet his farewell message focused less on records than on what representing Argentina meant to him.

He thanked his family, teammates, coaches, officials and supporters before reflecting on the moments he had shared with the national team.

‘I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — alongside my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of,’ Messi wrote.

His final words were filled with affection for the country he represented for more than two decades.

‘Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Let’s go, Argentina!’

After years of heartbreak, redemption and historic triumphs, Messi will now watch Argentina from the other side of the touchline.