Lionel Messi Retires from Argentina After Painful but Rewarding Journey

Lionel Messi announced his international retirement after 21 years with Argentina, citing a difficult but ultimately successful journey.

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Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on 2026-07-19, ending a 21-year international career that began in 2005. ^[1] Messi won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and two Copa America titles during his tenure with Argentina. ^[2] Juan Román Riquelme, president of Boca Juniors, said in an interview with TyC Sports that he will not try to convince Lionel Messi to join Boca Juniors, stating that Messi should continue playing in the United States with Inter Miami. ^[3] Argentina lost four successive major finals under Messi's leadership, including the 2014 World Cup, 2015 Copa America, 2016 Copa America, and the 2022 World Cup final prior to his victory. ^[4] Messi made his Argentina debut in a 2-1 win against Hungary in 2005, but was shown a red card for an elbow to an opponent's face within 90 seconds. ^[5] Riquelme said, 'Try to tempt Messi to play for Boca? Better that he continues playing in the United States and that he belongs to all Argentine football teams.' ^[6] The article reports that Riquelme ruled out any intention of Boca Juniors to seek Messi's signing, at least under current conditions. ^[7] Riquelme considers that Messi should remain a figure that transcends a single Argentine club. ^[8]

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Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on 2026-07-19, ending a 21-year international career that began in 2005. · CBS Sports

Messi won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and two Copa America titles during his tenure with Argentina. · CBS Sports

Juan Román Riquelme, president of Boca Juniors, said in an interview with TyC Sports that he will not try to convince Lionel Messi to join Boca Juniors, stating that Messi should continue playing in the United States with Inter Miami. · Record

Argentina lost four successive major finals under Messi's leadership, including the 2014 World Cup, 2015 Copa America, 2016 Copa America, and the 2022 World Cup final prior to his victory. · CBS Sports

Messi made his Argentina debut in a 2-1 win against Hungary in 2005, but was shown a red card for an elbow to an opponent's face within 90 seconds. · CBS Sports

Riquelme said, 'Try to tempt Messi to play for Boca? Better that he continues playing in the United States and that he belongs to all Argentine football teams.' · Record

The article reports that Riquelme ruled out any intention of Boca Juniors to seek Messi's signing, at least under current conditions. · Record

Riquelme considers that Messi should remain a figure that transcends a single Argentine club. · Record

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