Lionel Messi Retires From Argentine National Team

by Robert BluteSeptember 3, 2026, 5:33 pm >

After one of the most decorated careers in sports, Lionel Messi has called it quits for the Argentine National team after over 20 years. His 207 international appearances and 125 international goals will have him widely regarded as one of the best international players of all time.

This decision was expected and comes after the 2026 World Cup campaign, which saw Argentina lose in the final.

His two Copa América trophies and one World Cup all came after the first time he called it quits. In 2016, following a Copa América Centenario loss to Chile in a penalty shootout, he said that the national team was over for him. He was devastated by the loss and stated that he did all he could. He was hurt that he could not bring a major trophy to Argentina while being one of the best players in the world.

The decision was quickly reversed, and he came back stronger. Finally, in 2021, Messi got his trophy for the country, winning the Copa America. This preceded his big win and career-defining moment as he led them to victory at the 2022 World Cup in a historic penalty shootout win over France. Messi had two goals in the game and came second in the tournament in goals to Kylian Mbappe of the French squad.

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This completed a legendary career, and there was really no reason for him to come back in 2026 for the most recent World Cup. He did, and even though he now plays in the MLS, which is a smaller league, he proved that he was still one of the best players in the world with some staggering peformances for a man his age and even a hat trick against Algeria.

The 2026 World Cup was expected to be his farewell to the national team, and they were one goal away in regulation time from sending him into the sunset in storybook fashion. Unfortunately, it ended with a heartbreaking loss to a strong Spain team.

The expected announcement has now come for Messi, leaving behind a history of memories and leaving his mark on the sport forever.