Guwahati: Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, saying the decision “hurts” but acknowledging that “the time has come” to bring his national-team career to an end.
The 39-year-old has been one of Argentina’s most influential players, leading the team to World Cup triumph in Qatar in 2022. He finishes his international career as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 125 goals in 207 appearances.
In a statement, Messi said he had given everything to the national team and now felt he had nothing more to contribute.
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply,” Messi said.
“I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team.”
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner added that a new generation of players was emerging and deserved the opportunity to represent Argentina.
“I’ve given it my all, I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some really great young players coming through behind me who deserve their chance,” he said.
Messi had earlier spoken about his future in football following the death of his father, Jorge, who passed away at the age of 68 after a prolonged illness.
The Argentine star revealed that he had written his retirement message on July 21, two days after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the World Cup final. He said the loss of his father had strengthened his decision.
“Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced than before,” Messi wrote on Instagram.
While his international career is coming to an end, Messi will continue playing at club level. He remains contracted to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami through the end of the 2028 season.
Messi’s Argentina debut came in 2005, when he entered as a 63rd-minute substitute during a 2-1 friendly victory over Hungary. His first appearance ended abruptly as he was sent off less than a minute after coming on following an incident involving Hungarian defender Vilmos Vanczak.
That difficult beginning was followed by an extraordinary international career. Messi went on to win the FIFA World Cup and two Copa América titles with Argentina, cementing his place among football’s greatest players.
He also ranks second on the all-time World Cup scoring chart with 21 goals, behind France’s Kylian Mbappe, who has 22. In overall international football, Messi’s 125 goals place him second behind Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 146.