Lionel Messi retires from Argentina international duty: ‘A decision that hurts my soul’
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Argentina captain Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football following the 2026 World Cup final defeat to Spain, marking the end of a 21-year career with the national team.
- Messi played in six World Cups, becoming only the second male player to appear in three finals, and won the tournament in 2022; he scored 125 goals in 207 appearances, making him Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and appearance holder.
- Despite the pain of retiring, Messi expressed pride in his achievements, including two Copa America titles (2021, 2024) and individual honors like two World Cup Golden Balls and eight Ballon d’Or awards.
- The decision was influenced by personal reflection and the recent death of his father, Jorge, with Messi emphasizing his readiness to pass the torch to younger players coming through the national team.
- While retiring from international play, Messi remains under contract with MLS club Inter Miami and intends to continue his club career until he can no longer perform or enjoy the game.
