Lionel Messi announced on 2026-08-31 via Instagram that he is retiring from international soccer, ending a 20-year career with Argentina's national team. ^[1] Messi played his final match for Argentina on July 19, 2026, in New Jersey during the World Cup final. ^[2] Messi played 207 matches and scored 125 goals for the Argentine national team over a 21-year career. ^[3] Messi said he wrote his retirement letter on 2026-06-21, two days after the World Cup final, but delayed publishing it because his father Jorge Messi was dealing with health issues that led to his death on 2026-08-08 in Rosario. ^[4] Lionel Messi scored 125 goals for Argentina, making him the country's all-time leading scorer. ^[5] Messi stated that he will continue playing football for his current club, Inter Miami, after leaving the national team. ^[6] Messi wrote that he made the decision after the 2026 World Cup final, where Argentina lost to Spain and failed to win a second trophy. ^[7] Messi described the decision to retire from the Argentina jersey as painful, saying it hurt his soul but he understood it was the right moment. ^[8] Messi stated that he began writing his farewell message on July 21, two days after the World Cup final, but felt more convinced to retire after the death of his father. ^[9] Messi stated that he feels he has nothing left to give and that new, great players are coming behind him. ^[10] The announcement signifies the end of Messi's international career with the national squad. ^[11]