Lionel Messi retires from international soccer after Argentina career

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 11:22 PM

Last updated Aug 31, 2026

Lionel Messi retires from international soccer after Argentina career
Summary

Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday, Aug. 31, ending a tenure with the Argentina national team that included winning the 2022 World Cup. In a social media post, Messi expressed pride in his international accomplishments alongside his teammates. The announcement follows a career that spanned continental titles and multiple World Cup final appearances. While Messi remains active at the club level with Inter Miami, where he leads the league in scoring, his international career is now concluded. His legacy includes ten league titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies earned during his time with FC Barcelona. Messi retires as a prominent figure in Argentine sports history, moving past early public criticism to achieve universal recognition within his home country.

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By the Numbers
  • Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Aug. 31.
  • Messi recorded four goals in his most recent match for Inter Miami.
  • He secured seven of his eight Ballon d'Or awards during his tenure at FC Barcelona.
  • The Argentina national team reached the 2026 World Cup final with Messi as a key player.
Latest Updates
  • 11:22 PMYahoo SportsFC Barcelona made Messi great, Argentina made him eternal | Opinion
What they're saying
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While Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or and other hardware at the club level, it is what he did with Argentina that will be his biggest legacy.

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