Leo Messi Retires From International Football Soccer

[Dylan]

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has confirmed his retirement from international football.

The 39-year-old's last appearance for Argentina was the World Cup final defeat by Spain. It was Messi's sixth appearance at a World Cup and one in which he became only the second player (after Brazil's Cafu) to appear in three men's World Cup finals, having won the previous edition in 2022 and been a runner-up to Germany in 2014.

"After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team.

"It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deep down, but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all: not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

"Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the National Team. I've given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.

"Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I'll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad, especially the bad).

"Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey, so beautiful, yet so difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I've shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.

"I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, alongside my teammates, moments we once only dreamed of. It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you!

"Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.

"Let's go, Argentina!

"I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before."

Messi's astonishing international career was of course about so much more than just statistics - both on and off the field - but, nevertheless, with him finally now stepping away from the Argentina team for good after 21 years, it is worth detailing just how extraordinary his numbers really were.

He played for Argentina 207 times and scored 125 goals, with Ronaldo of Portugal (233 games and 146 goals) the only man ahead of him on either metric.

A remarkable 21 of those goals came at the World Cup and 14 at Copa America, meaning Messi scored more goals for Argentina at major tournaments than Diego Maradona scored in total for the South American nation (35 to 34).

Fifteen of his goals at the World Cup came after turning 35 years old, with only Mbappe (22) and Klose (16) bettering that figure among all players at any age in the competition's 96-year history.

Overall, he played at six World Cups and seven editions of Copa America, winning the former once (in 2022) and the latter twice (in 2021 and 2024).

His debut came in a friendly in August 2005, when he was sent off against Hungary after less than two minutes (one of two red cards he received for Argentina) and over the course of his time with Argentina he had 187 different team-mates, with one born in 1972 (Roberto Abbondanzieri) and another born in 2007 (Franco Mastantuono).