Lionel Messi retires from international soccer with Argentina
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 4:03 PM
Last updated Aug 31, 2026
Lionel Messi has retired from international soccer with immediate effect at age 39. His final match for Argentina was a 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final held at MetLife Stadium in New York. Across a 21-year tenure, the captain made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals for his national team. Messi led Argentina to a World Cup title in 2022 and two Copa America victories. He confirmed that the decision to retire was finalized shortly after the World Cup final, citing the physical and emotional toll of his career and the death of his father earlier this month. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner intends to remain a supporter of the national squad from outside the pitch.
- •Lionel Messi retired from international football after 207 appearances.
- •Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final 1-0 to Spain in New York.
- •Messi recorded 125 international goals during his 21-year career.
- •The 39-year-old captained Argentina to a World Cup victory in 2022.
- 5:01 PMYahoo Sports — Lionel Messi’s Argentina legacy in numbers as the legend calls time on international career
- 4:03 PMYahoo Sports — Argentina captain Messi retires from international football at age 39
"Lionel Messi has called time on his Argentina career at the age of 39, bringing the curtain down on an international journey that saw him become the country’s most prolific goalscorer and most-capped player. Messi announced his international retirement on Monday through an Instagram post featuring a handwritten message in Spanish.
"Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football with immediate effect. The 39-year-old captained Argentina to the final of last month's World Cup in New York, but he was unable to prevent his nation losing 1-0 to Spain and it proved to be the final match of his international career.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 5:01 PMLionel Messi’s Argentina legacy in numbers as the legend calls time on international career
Lionel Messi has called time on his Argentina career at the age of 39, bringing the curtain down on an international journey that saw him become the country’s most prolific goalscorer and most-capped player. Messi announced his international retirement on Monday through an Instagram post featuring a handwritten message in Spanish.
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 4:03 PMArgentina captain Messi retires from international football at age 39
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football with immediate effect. The 39-year-old captained Argentina to the final of last month's World Cup in New York, but he was unable to prevent his nation losing 1-0 to Spain and it proved to be the final match of his international career.
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