Lionel Messi has retired from international football after a long and successful career. He announced his decision on Monday, leaving fans worldwide emotional. His final match for Argentina was the World Cup 2026 final against Spain in July 19.
Messi made his debut in 2005 at 18 and played 207 games, scoring 125 goals—making him Argentina’s top scorer. He won two Copa Americas in 2021 and 2024, and led Argentina to a World Cup victory in 2022 against France.
This isn’t the first time Messi has retired from international football. In 2016, after Argentina lost to Chile in the Copa America final, he announced his retirement. Cristiano Ronaldo was moved by Messi’s decision at the time. Ronaldo expressed sympathy and hoped Messi would return to the national team.
Messi decided to retire again due to repeated losses in finals, including a penalty miss that cost Argentina against Chile in 2015.
Surprisingly, even Argentina’s president tried to convince him not to retire. Despite this, Messi returned and achieved more success, winning major trophies, including the World Cup in 2022.