Why did Lionel Messi say he is retiring from international football?

Messi said the decision hurt deep in his soul, but he believes it is the right time. He added that he always gave everything for Argentina, not only in the years when the team won major titles but before that too.

What happened to Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final?

Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 final. The loss came after Messi had led the team to a second successive World Cup final in July.

How long does Lionel Messi's Inter Miami contract run?

Messi's contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season. The article also says he had recently expressed serious doubts about continuing to play football for much longer after his father Jorge died in August.

Lionel Messi says retiring from international football

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Summary

Lionel Messi said on Monday he is retiring from international football after Argentina reached a second successive World Cup final in July. He said the decision hurt deeply but felt it was the right time. Messi said he had always given everything for Argentina, including before its recent trophies. His Inter Miami contract runs until the end of the 2028 season.

Key Facts

Messi said he was retiring from international football in a post on Instagram.
He said the decision still hurts deep in his soul but that it is the right time.
Messi led Argentina to World Cup victory against France in a penalty shootout in Doha in 2022.
Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
Messi's contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season.

By AFP

Published Sep 1, 2026 12:42 am KST

Argentina's captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi kisses the FIFA World Cup Trophy during the trophy ceremony after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on Dec. 18, 2022. Argentine football player Lionel Messi said on Aug. 31 he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final. AFP-Yonhap

MIAMI — Lionel Messi said on Monday he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final in July.

"It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time," Messi, 39, wrote on Instagram.

"I swear I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before that too, and I always fought and gave my all for this shirt," he added.

Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory by winning the 2022 final against France in a penalty shootout in Doha, but his side lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 final.

Following the death of his father Jorge in August, Messi had said he had "serious doubts" about continuing to play football of any sort for "much longer."

Messi's contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season.

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