The end of a story spanning more than two decades
Lionel Messi has officially brought one of the greatest chapters in international football history to a close. After more than 20 years in an Argentina shirt, the captain has retired from international football, leaving behind a journey marked by heartbreak, comebacks, records and, ultimately, the trophies he had spent so many years chasing.
Messi announced his retirement on August 31 in a handwritten letter. He had written the message on July 21, two days after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, but chose to publish it a little over a month later. In the letter, he admitted that the decision had been incredibly difficult, but also said he felt the time had come to step aside and make room for a new generation.
Argentina once again went all the way at their final World Cup with Messi. On the road to the final, they defeated England 2–1 in a dramatic semifinal in which Messi played a key role, before Lionel Scaloni’s side lost 1–0 to Spain after extra time in the title decider.
Messi leaves the national team feeling that he gave everything he had. His message was simple: even during the hardest years, when trophies seemed far out of reach, he never stopped fighting for the Argentina shirt.
From the hardest years to the top of the world
Messi’s relationship with the Argentina national team was never straightforward. For years, he was compared to Diego Maradona, criticized for failing to reproduce his club success at international level, and even accused of not showing enough passion when playing for his country.
The lowest point came in 2016, when he briefly retired from international football after yet another defeat in a Copa América final. But he returned, and that comeback would later become one of the most important parts of his legacy.
Under Lionel Scaloni, the long-awaited trophies finally arrived. Argentina first won the Copa América in 2021, followed by victory over Italy in the Finalissima in June 2022. Just six months later came the greatest triumph of all: the World Cup title in Qatar. Another Copa América followed in 2024, completing a remarkable run of success and giving Messi the international honours that had eluded him for so long.
In his final messages to his teammates, Messi placed particular emphasis on the importance of the group. In his view, major trophies are not won by talent alone, but by a team that stays united when things do not go according to plan. He credited his teammates with helping him fulfil the dream he had carried since childhood: becoming a world champion with Argentina.
He sent the same message to the supporters. Their support, he said, should not end with his departure. Difficult moments will come again, and when they do, the national team will need its fans more than ever.
The final night: a goal, two assists and one big “thank you”
Although he had already announced his retirement, the Argentine Football Association arranged one final farewell in front of the home crowd. On October 6, in front of more than 85,000 fans at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, Messi wore the number 10 shirt one last time in a friendly against Benin.
And his final night ended in classic Messi fashion. Argentina won 3–0, with Messi scoring once and providing two assists. It was his 208th and final appearance for the national team, bringing his international career to an end as Argentina’s all-time appearance record holder, with 126 goals to his name.
But the statistics were secondary that night. During the national anthem, Messi was unable to hold back his tears as he stood alongside his children, while the entire stadium paid tribute to him. After the match, he spoke about how much he would miss the national team and admitted that, if it were up to him, he would remain part of it forever.
“Playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing there is,” was the essence of his final message to the crowd.
He leaves grateful and proud. Proud of the trophies, but even more proud of the journey that led to them. From years filled with doubt and painful defeats to the moment he finally lifted the World Cup trophy.
After 21 years, 208 appearances, 126 goals, two Copa América titles, a Finalissima and a World Cup, Lionel Messi will no longer step onto the pitch as an Argentina player.
But his final message to those who remain was clear: he may no longer be the captain on the pitch, but he will always remain one of them, a supporter of Argentina.
And, as he emphasized in his farewell, he leaves grateful, proud and at peace.
