Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from international football after a distinguished 21-year career with the Argentinian national team. The announcement came shortly after a remarkable performance at Inter Miami, where he scored four goals in a 7-1 victory over CF Montreal. Messi reflected on his time with the national team in an emotional post on Instagram, stating, “Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply.”
This decision follows Argentina recent defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup Final, a match that ended in a 1-0 overtime loss, marking his second consecutive World Cup final with the team.
Messi, who joined Barcelona at the age of 13 in 2000, made his professional debut at 16 and became a legendary figure within the football community. His contributions to the sport included leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players in history.
In the wake of personal tragedy, following the death of his father Jorge in August, Messi expressed that he has had “serious doubts” about his future in football. He emphasized the emotional weight of his decision, stating, “It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul, but I understand that it is the right time.” As Messi transitions to his role with Inter Miami, he remains a cherished figure in Argentine football, vowing to carry the love he has for the national team forward.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés “Leo” Messi, born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, is an esteemed professional footballer known for his exceptional skills as a forward and his role as captain of Major League Soccer (MLS) team Inter Miami. Recognized as one of football greatest players, Messi has an impressive collection of records and awards, including eight Ballons d’Or, six European Golden Shoes, and multiple FIFA World Best Player accolades. In 2025, he was honored as the All-Time Men World Best Player by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).
Lionel Messi holds the title of the most decorated player in football history with 46 team trophies. His career records are remarkable, including the most goals scored in a calendar year (91), most goals for a single club (672 at Barcelona), most goals in La Liga (474), and the highest number of assists in both the FIFA World Cup (12) and international football (65). Accumulating over 920 goals and more than 420 assists, Messi is both the second-highest scorer and the leading assist provider in the sport history.
Lionel Messi began his career with FC Barcelona, debuting in 2004 at age 17. He thrived as one of the top young talents, winning the FIFPro Young Player of the Year award thrice from 2006 to 2008. His first uninterrupted season in 2008-09 led to Barcelona first treble in Spanish football, earning him his first Ballon d’Or. By the 2011-12 season, he set European records for goals in a season and became Barcelona all-time scorer. Under his leadership, Barcelona achieved another treble in the 2014-15 season, resulting in his fifth Ballon d’Or. Lionel Messi served as the team captain from 2018 onwards, securing 34 trophies, including 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues.
Financial issues at Barcelona prompted his move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2021, where he contributed significantly to winning the Ligue 1 title in the 2022-23 season before joining Inter Miami in 2023, leading the club to its first MLS Cup victory in 2025 and winning MVP awards in both 2024 and 2025.
On the international stage, Messi is the all-time leading scorer and most-capped player for the Argentina national team. He claimed a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics and led Argentina to finals in the 2014 World Cup and various Copa América tournaments, ultimately securing the Copa América in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022. Furthermore, he added a third major title by winning the Copa América again in 2024, and at the 2026 World Cup, he reached the final again, marking a remarkable international career before retiring from international play shortly after.
Lionel Messi influence extends beyond the pitch; he has been a long-term Adidas sponsor since 2006, was the world highest-paid athlete per Forbes in 2019 and 2022, and has appeared on Time 100 most influential people list across multiple years. By 2020 and 2023, he was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, becoming the first team-sport athlete to receive this honor. He surpassed $1 billion in career earnings and was listed among The World Billionaires in 2026, with a net worth of $1.1 billion.
His arrival in the MLS significantly impacted American football, and in 2023, he was recognized as Time Athlete of the Year, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden in 2025.In his early life, Lionel Messi was deeply influenced by a football-loving family. His father, Jorge, worked in steel manufacturing, and his mother, Celia, was involved in magnet production.
Messi passion for football was nurtured from a young age, beginning at the local club, Abanderado Grandoli, at age four. A significant turning point was the loss of his maternal grandmother, Celia, before his eleventh birthday, which prompted his religious tribute to her upon scoring goals. Although Lionel Messi possesses a basic understanding of English, he has expressed regret over not learning the language fluently during his formative years.
Lionel Messi professional journey
Lionel Messi professional journey showcases a remarkable career with significant achievements across multiple clubs and international competitions.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
Lionel Messi joined in August 2021, winning a Ligue 1 title during his first season despite scoring only 11 goals across all competitions. He added to his accolades with a 2022 Trophee des Champions victory and another Ligue 1 title in the 2022-23 season.
Inter Miami
Transitioning to Inter Miami in July 2023, Lionel Messi promptly made an impact by captaining the team to its first-ever trophy, the Leagues Cup. In 2024, he led Miami to the Supporters’ Shield and, by 2025, became the fastest player in MLS history to achieve 40 league goals. His contribution was pivotal as he helped Miami secure its first league championship and broke the career assists record across all competitions, surpassing the legendary Ferenc Puskas.
International stage
On the international stage, Lionel Messi early career began with a standout performance at the 2005 World Youth Championship, where he helped Argentina clinch the title. His subsequent appearances in senior tournaments were marked by challenges; notably, he was sent off in his debut and faced elimination in the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals. However, he led Argentina to Olympic gold in 2008 and reached the World Cup final in 2014, where Argentina narrowly lost to Germany despite Lionel Messi stellar play earning him the Golden Ball.
His Copa America experiences were similarly tumultuous, with finals losses in 2015 and 2016 that led him to announce a short-lived retirement from international play. Nevertheless, he returned to guide Argentina to a Copa America title in 2021, ending a 28-year trophy drought. The 2022 World Cup solidified Messi legacy; he scored twice in the final against France, claiming victory and becoming the first player to win the Golden Ball twice while finishing with seven goals and three assists throughout the tournament.
In 2023, Messi achieved the milestone of 100 international goals and further solidified his standing as the all-time top assist-provider in men international soccer. At the 2026 World Cup, he scored two goals against Austria, setting a record for the tournament all-time leading scorer, ultimately finishing with 21 goals but facing defeat in the final against Spain. Additionally, his participation marked him as the second player to appear in three World Cup finals, highlighting his longevity and significance in the sport.