Lionel Messi Retires from International Football

Lionel Messi, 39, announced his retirement from international football on Monday, concluding a remarkable career that spanned over 20 years with the Argentina National Team. He stated he had given his country his best and had “nothing more to give.” Messi's most significant achievement came in 2022 when he lifted the World Cup trophy, scoring seven goals during the tournament and playing a crucial role in the final against France.

Throughout his international career, he led Argentina to three major titles: the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América. Messi is Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer, with 125 goals in 207 appearances.

He made history by participating in six World Cups, holding records for 34 appearances, 23 wins, and 12 assists. Despite his successes, Messi faced setbacks, including losing the 2014 final to Germany and the 2016 Copa América final to Chile.

His final match was the 2026 World Cup final, where Argentina lost, denying him a fourth major international title.