Soccer legend Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer Monday morning — a career that spanned 21 years.
Scoring 125 goals in 207 international matches, including six World Cups, the 39-year-old Argentine said he gave all he had to give in a heartfelt Instagram post.
“It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts — deep in my soul, but I realize that the time has come,” he wrote on Instagram. “I swear to you that I always gave my all — not just in recent years when we won everything, but before that too — and I always fought hard and gave my all for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”
His decision comes after a stellar performance in the 2026 World Cup, scoring eight goals and leading Argentina to the World Cup final. His performance slotted him second on all time World Cup goals scored with 21, second to Kylian Mbappé with 22. Messi led his country’s team to the pinnacle in 2022 after defeating Mbappe and France in a match that will be remembered for years to come in the minds of soccer fans around the world.
Messi recently also suffered the loss of his father, Jorge Messi, who died less than a month ago on Aug. 8 at the age of 68.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, I don’t know how to go on,” he wrote on social media. His dad, who was his very first coach at a local club, seemed to keep the fire of Messi’s career still going as he continued, “I only played football and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I’ll keep doing it for much longer.”
Now he has made it official.
He wrote in his most recent post, “I wrote these words on 21 July, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced than before.”
A difficult goodbye
As expected as his retirement announcement was, it never makes the goodbye any easier for the soccer community. Rumblings that Messi might have seen his last World Cup in 2022 existed, and it felt right that he end on the highest end note a soccer player could end on.
Messi has endeared himself to fans throughout the world as well as finding much respect among his competitors and teammates.
Argentine teammate Enzo Fernandez said he calculated the age difference to see if he had a chance to share the field with the legend.
“I used to calculate the age difference between us to see if I might ever get to play alongside you,” Fernandez wrote on social media. “It might sound silly, but I really did it: I’d think about how many years you might have left and how long it would take me to reach the first division, dreaming that — even if just for once — we might share the pitch wearing the Argentina jersey.
“And life turned out to be far more beautiful than that kid could have ever imagined. I didn’t just get to play with you; we shared training camps, the locker room, conversations, hugs, tough times, and incredible moments, and we ended up becoming world champions together.
“But above all, I will always be grateful for how you treated me from the moment I arrived. I came in hoping to share the field with my idol, but I found a person who made me feel like one of the team right from the start. You always had a kind word, a piece of advice, a hug, or simply a way of putting me at ease when I needed it.
“I’ll never forget that,” he wrote.
In a post commemorating her husband, Antonela Roccuzzo celebrated his story and what it means to their three children now, and what it will mean to them when they understand its magnitude.
“But there is one part of this whole story that moves me the most: that our children grew up watching it all unfold up close. That they saw their dad fight for what he wanted, refuse to give up and keep believing until the very end,” she wrote on an Instagram post. “Perhaps one day they will truly understand the magnitude of your story. Today, they are simply proud of their dad.
“And I am proud of you. Of your journey, of everything you overcame, and — above all — of the person behind every one of those moments.”
On Messi’s post mourning his dad, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. both commented words of support Messi and his family.
“A huge hug to you and yours in these tough times, Leo. Much strength,” Ronaldo said, who is also expected to follow Messi in retirement.”
Neymar also showed support by commenting, “Much strength for you and your family.”
Shortly after his retirement announcement, Messi posted a video showing his highlights and ending at a parade in Argentina.
Messi’s full statement
“Now that some time has passed since the final, having thought it over carefully, I want to tell you all that I am retiring from the national team.
“It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts — deep in my soul, but I realize that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave my all — not just in recent years when we won everything, but before that too — and I always fought hard and gave my all for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.
“There’s not much time left and chapters are coming to a close; this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given my all; I’ve nothing left to give, and besides, there are some brilliant young players coming through who deserve their place.
“Thank you for all the love over these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you all from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, always cheering you on and supporting you from the sidelines (through thick and thin — especially the tough times).
“Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this beautiful yet difficult journey. Thank you to every single coach, teammate and official I’ve had the privilege of sharing this journey with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.
“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, moments we could only have dreamed of. It was incredible to have experienced it all with you. I love you all!
“Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.
“Come on, Argentina!
“*I wrote these words on 21 July, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced than before.”
Social media reaction
With the end of an incredible year, soccer fans around the world commented on Messi’s announcement.
“How can we even imagine the Argentina National Team without (Messi),” one post said.
Another from a teammate said nothing ever prepares you for these moments.
Another post wished to see him in one more farewell game.
Others lamented how the Argentine gave so many memories and only left soccer fans wanting more.
The retirement of Messi could be the first of two retirements expected to take place, as Portugal’s Ronaldo, who is 41 years old, is expected to announce his retirement relatively soon.
While the Argentine is retired from international soccer, the soccer legend still carries a contract to play with Inter Miami CF through 2028.