Lionel Messi has officially brought the curtain down on his remarkable international career with Argentina, ending more than two decades of service to the national team.
The 39-year-old captain confirmed his retirement on August 31, 2026, following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Messi leaves the Albiceleste as a World Cup winner, having led Argentina to glory in Qatar in 2022, and as one of the most decorated players in the history of international football.
His final World Cup campaign further cemented his extraordinary legacy. In 2026, Messi became the first player in history to appear at six FIFA World Cups, while also breaking the World Cup scoring record by reaching 18 goals during the tournament.
For a player who once came close to walking away from international football after Argentina’s painful defeats, Messi’s journey has come full circle. From the disappointment of losing major finals to finally lifting the World Cup trophy in 2022 and rewriting the record books in 2026, his Argentina career will be remembered as one of the greatest international stories football has ever produced.
Records broken by Lionel Messi at the FIFA World Cup
First Player to Appear in Six FIFA World Cups
The Argentina captain became the first footballer ever to play in six FIFA World Cup tournaments, having represented his country in Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022 and the 2026 edition.
Extends Record for Most World Cup Appearances
Messi added to his tally as the player with the most appearances in FIFA World Cup history, extending his record beyond the 26 matches he reached after the 2022 final.
Extends Record for Most World Cup Minutes
Every appearance at the 2026 tournament has seen Messi increase his lead as the player with the most minutes played in FIFA World Cup…
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