“I’ve given it my all; I have nothing left to give.” Lionel Messi chose those words to announce his retirement from the Argentine national team this Monday, bringing an end to a 20-year journey wearing the *Albiceleste* jersey. The decision comes following the defeat in the 2026 World Cup final—an extraordinary tournament for the captain, who scored eight goals and once again led the national team to the decisive match—and just days after the death of Jorge Messi, his father and agent, the man who had been by his side throughout his entire career.
“It was a decision that hurt—and hurts deep in my soul—but I understand that the time has come,” Leo explained in an emotional statement that sent shockwaves through Argentine and global football.
The message, however, included a caveat that clarified the timing of the decision. “I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before,” Messi clarified. In other words, the captain had already decided to bid farewell to the national team immediately after the World Cup and before his father’s death, though the family tragedy ultimately confirmed a decision he had kept to himself.
“After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the national team…” Messi wrote at the start of the message. The announcement brings an end to a story that seemed destined to continue following the Rosario native’s stellar performance at the 2026 World Cup. Despite the bitter outcome of the final, Messi had once again been a decisive force throughout the competition, demonstrating his enduring quality on football’s biggest stage.
Yet, his decision also came at a particularly painful moment in his personal life. Just days earlier, Jorge—his father and agent—had passed away; he had been a central figure in Messi’s life and career, from those early steps in Rosario to his rise as a global superstar. He was the one who supported and managed much of Leo’s professional journey over the course of more than two decades.
