Lionel Messi definitively bids farewell to Argentina after 207 internationals

Lionel Messi is leaving Argentina after an impressive international career spanning more than twenty years. The 39-year-old forward announced on Monday that he will no longer play for the national team. This brings an end to an era in which Messi became Argentina’s record cap holder, top scorer and ultimately a world champion with his country.

Messi played 207 international matches and scored 125 goals. He therefore ends his career with the national team as both Argentina’s most capped and highest-scoring international player of all time. His final major tournament was the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where Argentina once again reached the final.

That final was lost 1-0 to Spain in New Jersey on 19 July. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra time. According to FIFA, Messi wrote his farewell message two days later, but decided to share the news with the public only weeks afterwards. The death of his father Jorge Messi on 8 August played an important role in this. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Lionel Messi leaves Argentina after twenty years

In his farewell message, Messi made it clear that the decision weighs heavily on him. “This is a phase that causes me a lot of pain,” he wrote. The forward said he had always loved playing for Argentina, but believes the time has come to make way for a new generation.

According to Messi, he has given everything he could give to the national team. At the same time, he pointed to the young players who are ready to take on a bigger role. His departure means head coach Lionel Scaloni must continue building without the player who for years was the face and leader of the Argentine squad.

“I have given everything. Now the young players deserve their chance.”

From difficult debut to world champion

Messi’s international career began remarkably. He made his debut as a substitute against Hungary in 2005, but was sent off shortly after coming on. What was initially an unfortunate start developed into one of the most successful careers in the history of international football.

However, his path to success with Argentina remained difficult for a long time. Messi lost the 2014 World Cup final, among others, as well as several Copa América finals. Following the lost Copa América Centenario final in 2016, he even temporarily announced his retirement from the national team. Not long afterwards, he reversed that decision.

World title changed Messi’s legacy

The major turnaround came from 2021 onwards. Argentina won the Copa América that year by defeating Brazil in the final. In 2022, the biggest prize of his career followed when Messi led his country to the world title in Qatar. Argentina defeated France after a spectacular final and a penalty shootout.

The success continued afterwards. Argentina won the Copa América again in 2024 and once more reached the final at the 2026 World Cup. Messi remained influential despite his age. He finished the tournament as one of the most successful players in World Cup history. Kylian Mbappé ultimately surpassed him as the all-time top scorer at the global finals, with 22 goals compared with 21 for Messi. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Final goal against Egypt

Messi scored his final goal for Argentina during the World Cup round of 16 against Egypt. Argentina were trailing 2-0 in Atlanta but fought their way back. Messi scored the equaliser in the 83rd minute, after which Enzo Fernández fired Argentina to a 3-2 victory in stoppage time. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Messi then remained important as a provider. In the semi-final against England, he delivered two assists for the goals that secured Argentina’s place in the final. Key News previously reported extensively on Argentina and Messi’s performances during the 2026 World Cup. The eventual defeat in the final against Spain proved to be his last match in his country’s shirt.

Messi continues with Inter Miami

His farewell to Argentina does not mean Messi is retiring from football completely. His career continues in the United States with Inter Miami. The club has signed him until the end of the 2028 MLS season. A day before his international farewell, Messi also showed that he can still be decisive at club level by scoring four times in a 7-1 victory over CF Montreal. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Meanwhile, a new chapter begins for Argentina. The national team loses not only its captain, but also the player around whom the side had been built for years. For football fans in Suriname and the rest of the world, this closes one of the most closely followed chapters in modern football. Messi leaves Argentina with the 2022 world title, two Copa América titles and virtually all major national records to his name.

More background on Messi’s farewell and his international career can be found at world football governing body FIFA, which reflected extensively on Monday on the end of his career for Argentina.