Messi era ends in Argentina as star retires after World Cup final loss

Superstar Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina’s national team after more than two decades, marking the end of an era for the football-obsessed South American nation.

The 39-year-old led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup final against Spain last month, but the defending champions lost 1-0 in extra time. Messi scored 121 goals, recorded 66 assists and won six titles for the national team, known locally as La Albiceleste for its white-and-sky-blue strip. He has the second most goals in World Cup history, trailing French striker Kylian Mbappé.

“Time is running short, stages come to a close, and this is one that hurts a lot,” Messi said Monday in a handwritten letter he posted to his Instagram account. “I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had. I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.”

Messi’s father, Jorge, passed away earlier this month. Messi said at the time he didn’t know “how to go on.” In his resignation letter, he thanked his family “for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey that was so beautiful but difficult.”

The Argentine star continues to play club football for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF.

This year’s World Cup became a love letter to Messi at home after Argentina won the championship in 2022, earning the nation a third gold star on its jersey. “For Malvinas, for Diego, for Messi’s last one,” Argentines chanted as they jumped in the streets from Buenos Aires to Patagonia amid unending honking after Argentina defeated England in the semi-finals. Messi, also known as 'la Pulga,' drew comparisons to the beloved Diego Maradona, who brought home the title in 1986.

In many ways, the 2026 tournament mirrored Messi’s own career with the Argentine national team, which he only conquered in its final stretch. Argentina, and Messi, stared elimination in the face more than once, rallying from near-losses against Cape Verde, Egypt and England. Most of Argentina’s goals came after the 75th minute.

Since joining the Argentine national team at age 18 in 2005, the former FC Barcelona player was heavily criticised by sports commentators for underwhelming performances despite his rising stardom in Spain. In 2016, Messi briefly retired from the national team after Argentina lost the Copa América final to Chile during penalties. But he became a fan favourite after winning the regional tournament in 2021, defeating archrival Brazil.

Messi left his home country in 2000 at 13 for Spain, where Barcelona offered to pay for hormone deficiency treatment his family couldn’t afford. His father moved with him to the Catalan capital, leaving his mother and three siblings behind in the Argentine agricultural hub of Rosario.

“Thank God for making me Argentine!!” Messi wrote. “Vamos Argentina!!”