BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Soccer superstar Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from Argentina’s national team, signaling the end of a historic international career that transformed the country’s football legacy.
Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in soccer history, has spent nearly two decades representing Argentina at the highest level. His international career included multiple World Cup and Copa America campaigns, along with a series of defining moments for the national team.
His decision marks a significant turning point for Argentina, which has relied heavily on Messi’s creativity, goals and leadership since his international debut in 2005. For years, Messi’s relationship with Argentina was marked by both extraordinary success and painful disappointment. He reached the 2014 World Cup final but lost to Germany, while Argentina suffered defeats in the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals.
The breakthrough came at the 2021 Copa America, when Messi led Argentina to its first major international title since 1993. The triumph ended years of criticism directed at the star for his performances with the national team.
Messi then completed the defining chapter of his international career at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Argentina defeated France on penalties in the final, giving Messi his first World Cup title and Argentina its third, following victories in 1978 and 1986.
The 1986 championship, led by Diego Maradona, had long stood as the benchmark for Argentine soccer. Messi’s World Cup triumph established another defining era and strengthened his place alongside Maradona in the country’s football history.
Messi’s retirement will leave Argentina facing the challenge of rebuilding its attack and leadership around a new generation of players. His departure also closes one of the most celebrated international careers in modern soccer.
