Lionel Messi has ended his 21-year career with Argentina's national football team. The 39-year-old star said the decision still hurts, but he knows it is time to stop.
Messi first played for the senior national team in 2005, when he was 18. He played 207 games for Argentina and scored 125 goals. Both are national records.
His greatest success came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Messi helped Argentina win the competition for the first time since 1986. He also won the Copa America with Argentina in 2021 and 2024.
Messi played in six World Cups. He took Argentina to the final in 2014 and again in 2026. Argentina lost the 2026 final to Spain after extra time.
The football star wrote his retirement message two days after that final. However, he waited to share it because his father, Jorge Messi, was very ill. His father died in August.
Players, fans, and football leaders thanked Messi for his long career. Teammate Angel Di Maria said he was lucky to watch Messi and play beside him. Argentina's football association called Messi a legend who made people dream.
Messi said he always gave everything for the Argentina shirt. He will now support the team as a fan. He has not stopped playing football completely and will continue with his club, Inter Miami, in the United States.