Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has officially called time on his legendary international career, ending a transformative 21-year journey with La Albiceleste. The 39-year-old maestro announced his decision in a deeply personal statement, admitting that stepping away “hurts” but acknowledging that “the time has come.”
Reflecting on his decision, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner explained that he had poured everything he had into representing his country. He noted that a promising new generation of Argentine talent is ready to take the reins, making it the right moment to step aside.
The decision follows a period of heavy personal loss for the forward. Messi revealed that his father and long-time advisor, Jorge, passed away earlier this month at age 68 following a prolonged illness. The tragedy reinforced a choice he had originally drafted on July 21, just two days after Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain.
Messi leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as Argentina’s most decorated international player. He remains the country’s all-time leader in both caps and goals, having netted 125 times in 207 appearances.
Messi’s international journey began in chaotic fashion back in 2005, when he was shown a straight red card less than a minute into his senior debut against Hungary. Early heartbreaks continued to follow him, culminating in a brief international retirement in 2016 after a painful Copa América final shootout loss to Chile…the team’s fourth major final defeat in nine years.
However, Messi reversed that decision and went on to author one of the greatest late-career runs in sports history:
2021 Copa América: Ended Argentina’s 28-year major trophy drought.
2022 FIFA World Cup: Captained Argentina to ultimate glory in Qatar.
2024 Copa América: Secured back-to-back continental titles.
Messi’s International Record
Caps: 207 (Argentina record)
Goals: 125 (2nd all-time in men’s internationals behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s 146)
World Cup Goals: 21 (2nd all-time behind Kylian Mbappé’s 22)
While his iconic run with the national team has come to a close, Messi will continue playing at the club level with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.
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