Lionel Messi’s decision to end his international career has prompted an emotional reaction across Argentina, with President Javier Milei among those paying tribute to the captain who delivered some of the greatest moments in the country’s football history. Messi announced on Monday that he had decided to retire from international football following a period of reflection after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The decision brought an end to a remarkable international career spanning six World Cups, 207 appearances and 125 goals for his country.
Javier Milei pays tribute to Argentina’s captain
Argentina President Javier Milei was among the first prominent figures to respond to Messi’s announcement. Sharing a photograph of the forward greeting supporters on Instagram, Milei wrote: “Muchas gracias HOMBRE IMPOSIBLE...!!!” The message roughly translates to: “Thank you very much, impossible man.” Milei’s tribute reflected the significance of Messi’s contribution to Argentine football, particularly after the forward helped end years of disappointment with the national team.
Messi admitted the decision was painful
Messi’s announcement came more than a month after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, a result that left the 39-year-old with another World Cup final defeat to add to his international story. The decision also arrived just weeks after Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, died on August 8 in Rosario at the age of 68, adding another deeply personal dimension to an already difficult period for the Argentina captain. Messi confirmed his international retirement through an emotional statement on Instagram, explaining that he had reached the point where he felt he had nothing more to give while also acknowledging the emergence of a younger generation within the national team. “After all this time since the final match, and after long reflection, I want to announce to everyone that I have decided to retire from playing with the national team,” Messi said. “It was a painful decision and it still hurts me deep down, but I realise that the time has come.”
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) reacts after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
The Argentina captain stressed that his commitment to the national team had never wavered throughout his career, including during the years when major international success repeatedly eluded him. “I swear to you that I always gave everything I had, not only during the recent years in which we achieved everything, but before that too, and I always fought and gave all I had for this shirt, and to make you happy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football,” he added. Messi also acknowledged that the arrival of younger players had helped convince him that the time was right to step aside. “I have exhausted everything I have, and I no longer have any more to give, alongside the presence of a group of wonderful young players who deserve to get their chance,” he said.
Messi’s Argentina career eventually became a story of redemption
Messi’s relationship with the Argentina national team was not always defined by the success that eventually came towards the end of his career. The forward suffered several major disappointments with his country, including defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final and losses in consecutive Copa América finals before finally winning his first major senior international trophy at the 2021 Copa América. That triumph ended Argentina’s 28-year wait for a major international title and marked the beginning of an extraordinary period for Messi and his country. A year later, Messi captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, beating France on penalties after a thrilling final finished 3-3 following extra time. Messi scored twice in that final and converted his penalty during the shootout, helping Argentina win the World Cup for the first time in 36 years and the third time in the country's history.
FILE - Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after receiving the Golden Ball award for best player of the tournament during the awards ceremony after Argentina defeated France at the World Cup final in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
He then helped Argentina retain the Copa América in 2024 before leading the team to another World Cup final in 2026, where Spain ultimately denied them back-to-back titles. Despite that final defeat, Messi leaves international football having achieved almost everything available to him with Argentina, including the World Cup, two Copa América titles and Olympic gold.
Messi leaves behind an extraordinary World Cup record
Messi's longevity at international level is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that he appeared at six different World Cups between 2006 and 2026. Across those tournaments, he scored 21 goals in 34 appearances, placing him second on the all-time World Cup scoring list behind France captain Kylian Mbappé, who has moved ahead of him with 22 goals. Messi had previously overtaken Germany legend Miroslav Klose's tally before Mbappé eventually claimed the record. The 2026 tournament was another productive campaign for Messi individually, with the Argentina captain scoring eight goals and providing four assists. His performances included his first World Cup hat-trick, which came against Algeria during the tournament, further adding to a collection of records that had grown throughout his international career. By the time he announced his retirement, Messi had also established himself as Argentina's most-capped player and leading goalscorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals according to the figures accompanying his retirement announcement.
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He also finishes as the highest-scoring player in South American international football.
Messi will continue with Inter Miami
Although his international career is over, Messi has not announced his retirement from club football and will continue playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. The Argentine remains a central figure for the American club and underlined that status in spectacular fashion on August 30, scoring four goals and providing an assist for Luis Suárez in Inter Miami’s 7-1 victory over CF Montréal. Messi scored in the 40th, 52nd, 83rd and 90+6th minutes, completing his hat-trick with a chipped finish in the 83rd minute. The performance marked the 62nd hat-trick of his club career.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match against CF Montreal, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Inter Miami currently sit fourth in the MLS standings with 42 points from 22 matches, having recorded 12 wins, six draws and four defeats, leaving them 10 points behind Nashville SC. For Argentina, however, a remarkable chapter has now closed.
