BREAKING: Lionel Messi Announces Retirement from International Football
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to an extraordinary two-decade career with his national team CNN.
The 39-year-old forward confirmed his decision on Monday via social media, stating that while the choice hurts deep down, he understands that his time with the squad has come to a natural close The Guardian.
He leaves the Argentina national football team as its all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player, boasting a legendary international resume that includes 207 appearances, 125 goals, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and two Copa América titles BBC.
The iconic captain revealed that he originally composed his farewell message just two days after Argentina’s heartbreaking 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final ESPN.
However, he delayed making the public announcement due to the sudden passing of his father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi, on August 8th Sky Sports.
In his emotional statement, Messi noted that the family tragedy ultimately left him even more convinced that it was the correct moment to step away and allow a talented new generation of players to take the spotlight The Guardian.
While his historic chapter with the national team has closed, Messi’s professional soccer career is not completely over.
The legendary attacker is still actively playing club football in the United States for Inter Miami CF, where he remains under contract through the 2028 Major League Soccer season.
Just hours before his international retirement went public, Messi demonstrated his enduring form on the domestic stage by scoring four goals in a dominant 7-1 victory over CF Montréal Inter Miami CF Match Stats.
