Messi retires from international football, says father's death influenced call

Lionel Messi has announced the decision to retire from international football on Monday, August 31. Messi revealed that he had made the decision two days after the World Cup final loss to Spain and the death of his father proved to be the tipping point for him.Lionel Messi announced his decision to end his international career on social media (Courtesy: Reuters)After two decades in the blue and white, Lionel Messi has decided to turn the final page on his Argentina story. The Argentine superstar has retired from international football, confirming that he will no longer wear the shirt that has come to define so much of his career.Messi revealed his decision on Instagram on Monday, saying he had made the call just two days after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain. He also revealed that the death of his father played a part in a decision that brings an extraordinary chapter of his career to a close. Messi's father passed away earlier in the month and the Argentine star hinted that he was considering stepping away from the game after that.Messi said that it wasn't an easy call for him to step aside from playing for Argentina and it does hurt him a lot to make the decision.Messi said that while he has always enjoyed playing for Argentina, he had nothing more left to give and it was time for him to step aside for the younger generation of talent coming through. The 39-year-old said he is leaving the team in peace and actually wrote the retirement note on July 21. "After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the national team.""It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deeply, but I understand that this is the right time. I swear I always gave everything — not just during the last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave my all for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football." "There is little time left and chapters are beginning to close, and this is one that hurts me a lot. I love, have loved and will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had; I have nothing more left to give. Besides, there are some great young players coming through who deserve their opportunity.""Thank you for all the love and support over these 20 years. I will miss hearing you from inside the stadium very much. Now I will be one of you, always supporting and cheering from the outside — in good times and bad, even more so in the bad times.""Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to every coach, teammate and official I had the chance to share this journey with. I am taking with me unforgettable memories and moments.""I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, moments we could only have dreamed of. It was crazy to experience it all with you. I love you!""Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.""Let's go, Argentina!""I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my father, I am even more convinced than before," read the statement from Messi on Instagram.MESSI'S TROPHY CABINET WITH ARGENTINA21 years on after making his international bow, Messi is now leaving as one of Argentina's greatest footballers ever. In 207 games, Messi scored 125 goals for Albiceleste and ends his career as the all-time top goalscorer for Argentina. He won an Olympic medal with Albiceleste in 2008.Messi won the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles with Argentina and the Finalissima in 2022. However, his crowning moment with Argentina was winning the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.He was hoping to do the same this year as he carried Argentina into the final of the World Cup 2026. But Argentina were beaten 0-1 in the final by Spain.- EndsPublished On: Aug 31, 2026 20:42 IST