Lionel Messi retires from international football aged 39 as Argentina’s most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer | Football News | Sky Sports
Skip to content
Breaking
Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football aged 39, after leading Argentina to this summer’s World Cup final; Messi leaves as Argentina’s most-capped and highest-scoring player, and said passing of father Jorge on August 8 had made him “more convinced” to retire
Monday 31 August 2026 16:24, UK
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football aged 39.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who won the World Cup in 2022, showed his enduring quality as he captained Argentina 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.
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 – and added: “Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”
Also See:
Instagram
This content is provided by Instagram, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Instagram cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via thePrivacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Instagram cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Instagram cookies for this session only.
Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once
More to follow…
Play Super 6!
Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250k! Enter for free.
