Lionel Messi Announces International Retirement

3 hours ago 3

August 31, 2026 | 10:50 pm

Lionel Messi. Shutterstock

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Argentina legend Lionel Messi announced his international retirement.

39-year-old Messi, widely considered the greatest football player of all time, won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with Argentina, bringing the title back to the country for the first time since 1986.

The 2026 World Cup, Messi's last appearance in the world's most well-known footballing competition, ended with disappointment for Argentina after its loss to Spain in the final.

Retirement comes at 'right time'

"It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul," Messi posted on his Instagram account, adding that he wrote his international retirement message two days after the World Cup final defeat to Spain.

"But I understand that it is the right time," he added.

Messi said he "always gave everything, not just in the last few years," and that he wanted to bring Argentina fans joy and make them "feel proud to be Argentine through football."

"I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — alongside my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of," the Argentina legend wrote, before concluding with "Vamos, Argentina!".

"I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — alongside my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of," he added.

Miami contract until 2028

Messi is his country's most capped player with 207 appearances, in which he scored 125, another all-time record.

With Messi as captain, Argentina also won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024.

His club career will continue at current club Inter Miami, where he has a contract until the end of the 2028 MLS season, although he did voice "serious doubts" about continuing to play football for "much longer" following the death of his father Jorge in August.

The attacker moved to the American side in 2023 from PSG and after a 15-year career with Spanish giants Barcelona, with whom he won the UEFA Champions League four times and the Spanish title ten times.

Read: FIFA Sanctions Argentina Players and Officials over World Cup Incidents

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

29 Highest Goalscorers in Europe's Top Five Leagues of All Time

20 hari lalu

29 Highest Goalscorers in Europe's Top Five Leagues of All Time

A ranking of the 29 most prolific goalscorers in Europe's top five leagues, featuring big names such as Messi, Ronaldo, Lewandowski and Kane.

Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2026

21 hari lalu

Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo leads the 10 highest-paid athletes in 2026, with soccer, basketball, boxing, baseball, golf and F1 stars on the list.

Father of Football Star Lionel Messi, Jorge Messi, Dies at 68

23 hari lalu

Father of Football Star Lionel Messi, Jorge Messi, Dies at 68

The father of football superstar Lionel Messi, Jorge Messi, passed away late Friday, August 7, after battling an illness.

Lionel Messi to Miss 2026 MLS All-Star Game After World Cup

36 hari lalu

Lionel Messi to Miss 2026 MLS All-Star Game After World Cup

Lionel Messi has been confirmed to miss the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star Game.

Lamine Yamal Reveals Messi's Heartfelt Message After World Cup Final

38 hari lalu

Lamine Yamal Reveals Messi's Heartfelt Message After World Cup Final

Lamine Yamal reveals Messi's heartfelt advice after Spain beat Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, calling the words as valuable as his gold medal.

Lionel Messi Speaks Out After Argentina's World Cup Final Loss

41 hari lalu