Messi Is Leaving Argentina But He Isn’t Retiring From Football Yet

Lionel Messi’s most amazing football era is finally over. The Argentine star says he has retired from international football on August 31, 2026 after 21 years with Argentina’s national team.

The choice came ahead of Argentina’s disappointment of losing a silver medal to Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Messi’s declaration however comes as a prelude to the end of his career as a professional footballer. The 39-year-old is not through with playing on the club level with Inter Miami.

Historic Argentina Career Comes to an End

Among the threads Messi is taking off the international stage as Argentina’s top scorer and international player in terms of both number of goals and number of appearances. He made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals for La Albiceleste, records that highlight his remarkable longevity and impact.

His international career, too, brought the big trophies eluded by many. Messi’s career as a footballer has seen a remarkable transformation from a reluctant player to a national team conqueror of greatness, stitching together victories in exhilarating competitions such as the Copa América, the FIFA World Cup, the Finalissima, among others.

Why did Messi Decide to Retire?

The facts state that Messi originally wrote the script for his own decision two days after the end of the World Cup this year. Eventually he did confirm his decision after his father, Jorge Messi’s death.

During his farewell speech, Messi shared a message of his lifelong bond with Argentina and why it was a source of inspiration for him. He said that he had done everything he could for the country. But he also noted that younger players are also emerging who will be given a chance to represent the nation.

His resignation is more than just a player coming to the end of his playing days. It marks the end of an era in Argentina, where Messi has been the impedance for over 20 years.

Messi Is Still Playing Club Football

In spite of retiring from international football, Messi isn’t officially retiring from football. He remains with MLS club Inter Miami as a free agent until the 2028 MLS season.

That’ll also mean fans will still have a chance to see one of football’s most decorated players at the club level. His option will allow him to turn down the international retirement option from his overall experience, while he still plays matches.

What Messi’s Retirement Means for Argentina?

Now the task for Argentina is to move on without the player who has made his mark in the modern history of Argentine football. The national team must build a new team to represent the countries’ ambitions in the international field.

The next chapter in Messi’s story, however, will be played in his home turf which is club football. His time in Argentina has been at an end, but his professional football career has started.

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