Songpi: Argentine football’s longest and most emotional love story has come to an end. Lionel Messi, 39, announced on Monday that he is retiring from international football, closing a 21-year career that began as an 18-year-old against Hungary in 2005 and ended with tears in New Jersey after the 2026 World Cup final.
The announcement was characteristically private. No press conference, no TV interview, just a photograph of a handwritten notebook page in Spanish posted on Instagram. In it, Messi wrote that the decision had been hurting him for weeks. “After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the Argentina national team. It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come.”
At the bottom, in smaller writing, he added a footnote that explained the timing: “*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.” His father, Jorge Messi, who managed his career since childhood, died on August 8 at a hospital in Rosario. He was 68. The family funeral was held last week in the city where Leo first learned to play.
Messi used the middle of the letter to settle a debate that haunted him for more than a decade. For years critics said he tried harder for Barcelona than for Argentina, that he was silent, that he lacked Maradona’s fire. He answered it directly. “I swear to you that I always gave it my all — not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”
He continued: “Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here. Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much.”
Messi leaves with records that will likely never be broken. 207 caps, the most for Argentina, surpassing Javier Mascherano. 125 goals, also the national record, and the highest for any South American man. Six World Cups from 2006 to 2026, with three finals in 2014, 2022 and 2026. 34 World Cup matches, the most in tournament history. He also won two Copa Americas in 2021 and 2024, ending Argentina’s 28-year wait for a major trophy at the Maracana.
That 2021 victory was the turning point. Before it, Messi had lost four finals with Argentina — Copa America 2007, 2015, 2016 and World Cup 2014 — and even retired once in 2016 after missing a penalty against Chile. He returned two months later and led the nation to its most successful cycle ever. In Qatar 2022, he scored seven goals including twice in the final against France, winning his first World Cup and his second Golden Ball.
The 2026 run was almost a perfect farewell. At 39, he scored eight goals, including a free-kick against Portugal in the quarterfinal and two assists to turn around the semifinal against England. The final against Spain in East Rutherford ended 1-0 in extra time after Lamine Yamal’s goal, denying him a second World Cup and a storybook ending. Cameras showed him crying on the podium, consoled by Emiliano Martinez and Rodrigo De Paul.
The reaction was immediate worldwide. Antonela Roccuzzo, his wife, wrote: “I saw you keep going when things didn’t work out and always try again… We love you infinitely.” FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised “an extraordinary international career that has inspired millions and redefined our sport.” The AFA said simply: “Thank you for everything, Leo. The legend is yours, forever.”
Teammates past and present joined. Rodrigo De Paul, his close friend and Inter Miami teammate, highlighted “your unconditional love for our country, your internal battles to never give up.” Enzo Fernandez, who debuted just two months before winning the 2022 World Cup alongside him, wrote: “Thank you for the way you treated me.” England legend Gary Lineker added: “You didn’t just play for Argentina, you carried their hopes for two decades.”
Messi will continue his club career. He remains under contract with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer until 2028 and scored four goals against Montreal just days before the announcement, showing he still has magic left. But for Argentina, a new era begins. Coach Lionel Scaloni must now prepare for the 2027 Finalissima and the 2030 World Cup qualifiers without the man who carried the No.10 for two generations.
He ended his letter with the line that summed up everything: “I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — alongside my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of. It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you! Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Let’s go, Argentina!”
