Open menu OneFootball's home page Matches Teams Competitions Search Settings Sign In Sign In Join Lionel Messi announces Argentina retirement at 39 after 2026 World Cup final | OneFootball In partnership with Yahoo sports OffsAIde · 31 August 2026 Lionel Messi announces Argentina retirement at 39 after 2026 World Cup final Go to the comments section Add to your bookmarks Share this article Lionel Messi has announced his international retirement at 39, ending more than 20 years with Argentina . The player said in a post that the decision followed extensive reflection, made public on Monday. His announcement came two days after the 2026 World Cup final, which Argentina lost 0-1 to Spain after extra time. He had already chosen to stop, though he had not made it public until now. OneFootball Videos First capped in 2005, Messi made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals for the Albiceleste, the most in both categories. He won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, then the 2022 World Cup . At the 2026 tournament he captained Argentina , scored eight goals to finish second behind Kylian Mbappé, and supplied four assists before defeat to Spain in the final. The death of his father, Jorge Messi, strengthened his resolve to retire. The decision is painful but, in his view, necessary, as he feels he has nothing left to give and believes outstanding youngsters deserve their chance. He closed with a message of thanks to his country. Source: L'Équipe “Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.” View publisher imprint Share this article Related News Lionel Messi’s Argentina career in numbers after international retirement OffsAIde Lionel Messi confirms international retirement after Argentina's World Cup heartbreak Evening Standard Lionel Messi announces international retirement, a look back at his Argentina career OffsAIde Lionel Messi announces Argentina retirement after 20 years OffsAIde Lionel Messi announces international retirement from Argentina duty OffsAIde See More News Mentioned in this article Argentina Inter Miami World Cup Lionel Messi MORE STORIES See More Stories Predicting which clubs the summer's biggest free agents will sign for There are still some massive names who are set to become free agents in the summer, with some high-profile deals due to expire at the end of next month.As speculation... Football Muse · 12 May 2026 Add to your bookmarks Tottenham: Why James Maddison was not awarded a penalty against Leeds as Premier League issue statement Spurs midfielder denied a big moment on his return from injuryThe Premier League has explained why Tottenham were not awarded a penalty in their draw against Leeds.As the clock ticked... Evening Standard · 12 May 2026 Add to your bookmarks Bento's howler delays CR7's first title in Saudi Arabia 😱 An ugly mistake by Brazilian goalkeeper Bento prevented Al-Nassr from winning the Saudi League title this Tuesday.Cristiano Ronaldo’s team was leading 1-0 until the 53rd minute of the second half,... OneFootball · 12 May 2026 Add to your bookmarks Watch on OneFootball All Free Paid Live Breiðablik 0 Stjarnan 0 28' Watch Hessen Kassel Eintracht Trier Tomorrow 13:00 Watch KR Víkingur Reykjavík Tomorrow 13:30 Watch WAC LASK Tomorrow 13:30 Watch Inter Miami CF II NYCFC II Tomorrow 19:30 Watch Atlético Mineiro Cruzeiro Tomorrow 20:00 Watch Austria Vienna WSG Tirol 02/09/2026 12:30 Watch RB Salzburg Rapid Vienna 02/09/2026 14:30 Watch Vitória Vasco da Gama 02/09/2026 20:30 Watch Santos Palmeiras 02/09/2026 20:30 Watch Grêmio Internacional 03/09/2026 19:00 Watch Chornomorets Odesa Livyi Bereh 04/09/2026 06:00 Watch Manila Digger Kasuka 04/09/2026 07:00 Watch Polissya Zhytomyr Kudrivka 04/09/2026 11:00 Watch SSV Ulm H.-Freiberg 04/09/2026 13:00 Watch Eintracht Frankfurt II Astoria Walldorf 04/09/2026 13:00 Watch Crown Legacy FC Chicago Fire FC II 04/09/2026 17:30 Watch Carolina Core FC New England Revolution II 04/09/2026 18:30 Watch Houston Dynamo 2 Austin FC II 04/09/2026 19:00 Watch Inter Miami CF II Orlando City B 04/09/2026 19:00 Watch Move forward
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: onefootball.com