Lionel Messi Retirement: Argentina Legend Announces International Exit

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an extraordinary 21-year Argentina career to an end. At 39, the Argentina captain leaves the national team as a World Cup winner, two-time Copa América champion and one of the most influential footballers in history.

Messi confirmed his decision on August 31, 2026, through an emotional message shared on social media. His final appearance for Argentina came in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where Argentina lost 1–0 to Spain after extra time.
However, Messi’s retirement is not a retirement from professional football altogether. The Argentine superstar continues to play club football for Inter Miami, where he has signed a contract extension through the 2028 MLS season. fish-roadgame.com

Key Takeaway: Lionel Messi has retired from Argentina’s national team, but he has not announced his retirement from club football.
Lionel Messi Announces Retirement From International Football
After more than two decades representing Argentina, Lionel Messi has decided to step away from international football.
The announcement came after Argentina’s run to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Argentina reached the final but were defeated 1–0 by Spain following a goal from Ferran Torres in extra time.
Messi revealed that he had already made the decision shortly after the World Cup final but waited before publicly announcing it.
The Argentine Football Association published Messi’s farewell message, in which the captain described the decision as painful but said he understood that the time had come to close this chapter of his career.

For Argentina, this marks the end of an era.
For football fans around the world, it marks the end of one of the greatest international careers the sport has ever witnessed.

Messi’s Argentina Career: From Youngster to National Icon
Lionel Messi made his senior international debut for Argentina in 2005.
His journey with the national team was far from straightforward.
For years, Messi faced intense criticism because he had not won a major senior international trophy with Argentina. Despite reaching the 2014 FIFA World Cup final and several Copa América finals, international success initially remained out of reach.
Everything changed in 2021.
The 2021 Copa América Breakthrough
Argentina defeated Brazil in the Copa América final at the Maracanã in 2021.

The victory gave Messi his first major senior international trophy with Argentina and dramatically changed the narrative surrounding his international career.
It was the beginning of the most successful period in Messi’s career with the national team.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup
A year later came the defining moment.

Messi captained Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, defeating France in one of the most dramatic finals in tournament history.

The World Cup victory completed one of the biggest unfinished stories in football.
For years, comparisons between Messi and Diego Maradona had dominated discussions about Argentina’s greatest footballer.

Winning the World Cup gave Messi his defining achievement with the national team.
Copa América 2024
Messi and Argentina continued their remarkable run by winning the 2024 Copa América.

Argentina entered the tournament as defending World Cup champions and successfully defended their continental crown.
The victory established Argentina as the dominant international team of the era.

Messi’s Final World Cup: 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup became Messi’s sixth World Cup appearance.

At 39, questions surrounded whether he could still perform at the highest level.
He answered them on the pitch.

Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria during Argentina’s opening match of the tournament, reaching 16 World Cup goals and equalling Miroslav Klose’s then-record tally. Argentina eventually reached the final against Spain.
Although Spain won 1–0 after extra time, Messi’s tournament added another remarkable chapter to his international career.

According to the Argentine Football Association, Messi finished the 2026 World Cup with eight goals and four assists while leading Argentina to another World Cup final.

Lionel Messi’s International Football Records
Messi leaves Argentina with a remarkable statistical legacy.

Messi’s 207 appearances and 125 goals make him Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and one of the most-capped men’s international footballers.
His six World Cup appearances also underline the extraordinary longevity of his international career.

Why Did Lionel Messi Retire From International Football?
Messi’s decision appears to be influenced by several factors.

Age and Career Longevity
At 39, Messi has already enjoyed a career that has lasted more than two decades.

The physical demands of international football, combined with his long club career, inevitably make retirement from international duty increasingly understandable.

Passing the Torch to a New Generation
Messi also acknowledged the emergence of younger Argentine players.

His decision allows the next generation of Argentine footballers to take greater responsibility within the national team.

Completing His International Journey
Perhaps most importantly, Messi leaves Argentina after achieving what once seemed impossible.

He won the Copa América, the World Cup and another Copa América.
His international story moved from disappointment and criticism to success and legacy.

Messi’s Retirement Is Not the End of His Football Career
One of the most important points for fans to understand is that Lionel Messi has retired from international football, not professional football.

Messi continues to play for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer.

Inter Miami recently confirmed that Messi has signed a contract extension that keeps him at the club through the end of the 2028 MLS season.

This means football fans can still expect to see Messi playing at club level.
His next chapter will therefore be very different.
Instead of carrying Argentina’s No. 10 shirt onto the international stage, Messi will focus on his club career in Miami.

Messi’s Legacy: More Than Just Goals and Trophies
Messi’s impact cannot be measured only through statistics.

He has influenced football culture across generations.His career has inspired millions of young footballers and helped transform the commercial value of football’s biggest stars., Messi became more than an athlete. He became a global sports brand.

His name is associated with Argentina, Barcelona, Inter Miami, the FIFA World Cup and one of the most recognisable personal brands in global sport.

For sports marketers, Messi represents one of the clearest examples of how athletic performance, personality, storytelling, fan loyalty and commercial partnerships can combine to create an extraordinary athlete brand.

What Does Messi’s Retirement Mean for Argentina?
Argentina now enters a new era.

For more than a decade, Messi was the team’s creative centre, captain and emotional leader.

The challenge for Argentina will be to build an identity that can continue without its most iconic player.

The country has already developed a new generation of talented footballers.

The question now is whether Argentina can maintain its position among the world’s elite without Lionel Messi.

That transition will be one of the most fascinating stories in international football over the coming years.

The End of an Era
Lionel Messi’s international career began in 2005 and ended more than two decades later.

Between those two moments came heartbreak, criticism, defeats, comebacks, trophies and ultimately the World Cup.

He leaves the Argentina national team as its greatest goalscorer, one of its most decorated players and arguably the most influential footballer in the country’s history.

Messi’s final chapter with Argentina did not end with another World Cup trophy.

But perhaps it did not need to. He had already achieved the one thing that had eluded him for so long. Lionel Messi won the World Cup. And now, after 21 years, the Argentina No. 10 has finally said goodbye.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lionel Messi’s Retirement

Has Lionel Messi retired from football?
No. Lionel Messi has retired from international football with Argentina. He continues to play club football for Inter Miami.

Why did Lionel Messi retire from international football?
Messi said the decision was painful but that he felt the time had come. He also acknowledged that younger Argentine players deserve opportunities with the national team.

How many goals did Messi score for Argentina?
Messi finished his international career with 125 goals for Argentina.

How many World Cups did Messi play?
Messi appeared at six FIFA World Cups during his international career.

Did Messi win the World Cup?
Yes. Messi captained Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar.

Will Messi play for Inter Miami?
Yes. Messi remains an Inter Miami player, with the club having extended his contract through the 2028 MLS season.

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Buenos Aires [Argentina], September 1 (ANI): Following Lionel Messi’s decision to retire from international football, the 39-year-old’s mother, Celia, shared an emotional statement reflecting on the deep connection her late husband, Jorge Messi, shared with their son’s footballing journey.

According to America TV, Celia’s statement was read out by a news anchor, highlighting the bittersweet timing of the legend’s departure from the national team just weeks after his father’s passing.

Jorge Messi passed away on August 8 in Rosario at the age of 68. Reflecting on her family’s grief and the central role Messi’s career played in his father’s life, Celia revealed how her late husband often wondered about life after Messi’s international career, only for his passing and the retirement to happen almost simultaneously.

“I am still crying. Even though we already knew, the whole family is sad. But the important thing is that he is happy. The father (her husband Jorge) always used to say, ‘What am I going to do when he does not play anymore.’ And it all happened together," said Celia Messi, via America TV.

Messi announced his international retirement on Monday, bringing down the curtain on a legendary career with the Albiceleste. The decision came over a month after Argentina’s 0-1 loss to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.

In a statement originally written two days after the final and finalised after his father’s death, Messi expressed deep pride and peace with his choice, emphasising that the recent loss of his father made him even more convinced of his decision to step aside for the next generation.

“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team. It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment… I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football," said Lionel Messi

“There is not much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot. I love, I loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I don’t have anything more to give. Also, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be here… Thank you to my family for always being there and for being with me throughout this beautiful but difficult journey… I leave with peace and pride, knowing that together with my teammates we gave you moments we once dreamed of… Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina! I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced of this decision than before," he added.

Messi leaves behind an unparalleled international legacy as Argentina’s most-capped player and top all-time scorer, with 124 goals in 203 appearances. Over a career featuring six FIFA World Cup appearances (2006-2026), he amassed 21 World Cup goals–including eight goals and four assists in the 2026 tournament–and led Argentina to historic triumphs at the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and the 2024 Copa America.

While his international chapter comes to a close, Messi will continue playing club football for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

In the second Test match against England, Pakistan suffered a loss by 194 runs at the Lord's Cricket Ground in the City of Westminster.

Following the loss, pacer Mohammad Abbas admitted that Pakistan's team has been struggling in delivering performances in all three departments of the game.

"Our performance is a concern for everyone. Everyone is worried, including selection committee and the NCA. We are not doing well, we accept that. We are not batting, bowling or fielding well and we discuss this all the time in meetings. We are all working on it, and we need to be, too," he said as quoted by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The pacer then feels that his teammates dropped crucial catches during the match.

"We dropped catches, and their key players scored 70-odd extra runs. That is where the match changed because we could have bowled them out for 200. It is disappointing," said Abbas.

ENG vs PAK 2nd Test: Match summary

In England's first innings, wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith delivered a knock of 61 runs in 80 balls, including 10 boundaries. Jordan Cox also smashed 55 runs in 105 balls, with the help of seven boundaries. Gus Atkinson registered the score of 45 runs in 46 balls, which included six boundaries.

Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas claimed four wickets. Mohammad Ali also bagged three wickets. Khurram Shahzad and Ali Usman chipped in with one wicket each.

In Pakistan's first innings, opening batsman Azan Awais accumulated 46 runs after facing 102 runs. His knock also included seven boundaries.

England's Ollie Robinson returned with the figures of four wickets for 11 runs in 13 overs. Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue also bagged three and two wickets, respectively.

Later in England's second innings, Dan Lawrence garnered 54 runs in 70 balls, with the help of seven boundaries and two maximums. Harry Brook also registered 34 runs, whereas opening batsman Emilio Gay smashed 31 runs.

Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas bagged five wickets by conceding 57 runs in 22 overs. Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali also returned with two wickets each.

In Pakistan's second innings, Sau Shakeel missed his well-deserved century by just three runs. Facing 122 balls, he scored 97 runs, including three boundaries and two maximums. Opening batsman Shan Masood scored 26 runs in 72 balls, and also smashed two boundaries.

England's Ollie Robinson bagged four wickets, whereas Josh Tongue also claimed three wickets. Jofra Archer picked up two wickets.

(With ANI Inputs)

India vs Afghanistan 2026 T20: Shreyas Iyer’s Indian T20 team are set to take on Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series beginning at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 13. The reigning T20 World Cup champions will be coming into this series on the back of 3-0 whitewash against Zimbabwe last month and will look to continue their winning run ahead of Asian Games 2026 in Japan later this month.

Mumbai Indians captain and all-rounder Hardik Pandya was expected to make a comeback in the T20I series against Afghanistan after being ruled out of international cricket since the IPL 2026 season. Hardik, who was retained for Rs 16.35 crore by Nita Ambani’s Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2026, injured his quadriceps before the ODI series against Afghanistan in June this year.

Since then Hardik has been recuperating at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, having shifted his base from Mumbai to the city. According to a TOI report, Hardik was making good progress at the CoE and was expected to test his fitness in the Afghanistan series.

However, the 32-year-old all-rounder has suffered a fresh setback just days before the BCCI selectors will pick the squad for the Afghanistan T20I series. “Hardik Pandya was operating on full intensity without any discomfort but he has been advised to pause bowling due to discomfort in his leg. He will resume soon, but the Afghanistan series is too close to reach the required fitness levels. Batting and movement-wise, there wasn’t any significant issue but the CoE needs to be completely convinced before giving an all-clear,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by TOI website.

Hardik Pandya’s much-awaited international comeback has hit another setback

Pandya has reportedly suffered a late leg niggle while training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, forcing him to pause bowling temporarily. pic.twitter.com/Q86YA92UkW

— CRICKETNMORE (@cricketnmore) September 1, 2026

The last of Hardik Pandya’s 138 appearances for Team India in T20I cricket came in March in the T20 World Cup 2026 final vs New Zealand. Since then he has missed ODI series against Afghanistan in June followed by white-ball series in Ireland and England as well as T20I series in Zimbabwe.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar recovery on track

The report also added that all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar are making good progress in their recovery. It will be interesting to see if the selectors gamble with bringing back Reddy and Sundar for the Afghanistan series ahead of the Asian Games 2026.

However, Hardik Pandya’s Mumbai Indians teammate Jasprit Bumrah is still to get clearance from the CoE to return to international cricket. While Bumrah is being preserved for ODI and Test cricket keeping in mind the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 next year, the BCCI selectors were keen on check on his fitness in T20I games ahead of the longer version.