Messi announces his retirement from the Argentine national team

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31/08/26 21:30:00

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Latest news in Argentina. Leo Messi, Argentine forward, 39 years old, announced on August 31, 2026 his retirement from the Argentine national team after the 2026 World Cup final. The player made the decision after several days of reflection and following the death of his father, Jorge Messi. 

The decision marks the end of Messi's international career after over 20 years with Argentina. The player had participated in the 2026 World Cup with the national team and reached the final, lost to Spain. 

Leo Messi completes his journey with Argentina

Messi explained that he had made the decision before making it public. The letter was written since July 21, just two days after the World Cup final, but the subsequent family circumstances reinforced his determination.

The forward leaves Argentina as the player with the most matches and goals in the history of the national team. Updated records after the World Cup show his figures at 198 matches and 116 goals, as well as 13 goals in World Cups. 

His journey with the national team includes the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America. In 2026, he once again played in a World Cup final, though Argentina ended without the title. 

Messi also noted that he believes it is time to make way for the upcoming players. His farewell marks the end of a generation that achieved four major international titles between 2021 and 2024.

🚨🇦🇷 BREAKING: Lionel Messi statement to announce retirement from professional football.

“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team…

"It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep… pic.twitter.com/tUc8a4upHM

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2026

The future of Leo Messi is linked to Inter Miami

Retiring from the national team does not, for now, mark the end of Messi's professional career. The Argentine remains linked to Inter Miami, with a contract until the end of the 2028 MLS season. 

The current agreement keeps Messi in the United States for the upcoming seasons. Inter Miami confirmed the extension and highlighted that the contract extends until 2028, thus his immediate future remains in club football. 

Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has scored 71 goals and provided 44 assists in 82 matches across all competitions, according to the club's official data. In 2025, he also won the MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals in the regular season. 

The international farewell comes after a World Cup where Messi played his sixth World Cup, an individual record. He also holds the titles of the highest scorer and player with the most appearances in Argentina's history. 

Now, the next chapter lies in the hands of Inter Miami. Messi will continue as a player at the club until 2028, while Argentina will have to face its next phase without the player who held the records for matches and goals for the national team.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Messi anuncia su retirada de la selección argentina