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Messi retires from international football
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Lionel Messi retired from Argentina duty after 207 caps. His exit closes an era of World Cup and Copa América glory.
Background
Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 31, 2026, weeks after Argentina finished runner-up at the 2026 World Cup. He had previously retired in 2016 but reversed that decision. His career with Argentina included winning the 2022 World Cup and Copa América titles, and he leaves as the nation's all-time leading scorer with 120 goals in 200 appearances.
How it unfolded
- 2016Messi briefly retired after a Copa América final loss but reversed the decision weeks later.
- Jul 2026Argentina finished runner-up at the 2026 World Cup, which Messi had indicated would be his last.
- Aug 31, 2026Messi announced his retirement from international football via an Instagram post, saying the decision 'hurts' but it's time.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Argentine Football Association President Claudio Tapia said the decision to continue belonged entirely to Messi.
Still unverified
Messi's exact future plans beyond retirement are not specified in the material.