Lionel Messi Retires from International Football with 125 Goals in 207 Caps

1 September 2026National

Argentina captain Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on 31 August 2026, closing a senior career of 125 goals in 207 appearances that began in August 2005. His last international was the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on 19 July 2026 at East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time. Messi retires as Argentina's all-time top scorer and most-capped player, with the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa America titles and the 2008 Olympic gold among his honours. He said he drafted the farewell on 21 July 2026, and referred to the death of his father and agent Jorge Messi on 8 August 2026. He continues at Inter Miami through 2028.

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Lionel Messi was born on 24 June 1987 at Rosario, Argentina | Argentina has won the FIFA World Cup three times, in 1978, 1986 and 2022 | The Copa America, first held in 1916, is the world's oldest continental football tournament

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