Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football aged 39.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who captained his country to the World Cup in 2022, showed his enduring quality as he again led them to the final of the World Cup this summer.
But 21 years on from his first appearance he has called time on his international career, leaving a record-breaking legacy of 125 goals from 207 games. No Argentine has played or scored more for their country.
He retires having won every possible competition in international football, after twice winning the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, lifting the World Cup in Qatar and captaining Argentina to victory in the inaugural Finalissima in 2022.
Messi had hinted at his impending retirement during an emotional post on social media following the death of his father, Jorge earlier in August.
He has now confirmed his decision in a statement on Instagram, which he said he had originally written on July 21 – two days after the final – which he said “hurt deeply”, but having been left with “nothing left to give” he added of his decision: “Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”