'God of Football' Messi Announces Sudden Retirement from Argentina National Team

[Financial News] Argentina's football legend Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) is hanging up his national team jersey.
Messi announced on Instagram on the 31st of last month, local time, that he had decided to retire from the national team after much reflection following the World Cup final. "It was a painful decision, but I have accepted that the time has come to leave," he said.
Messi's achievements include winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, finishing runner-up at the 2014 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, winning the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, and placing second three times in the Copa América in 2007, 2015 and 2016. He also won the adidas Golden Ball, the tournament's MVP award, at the 2014 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, and was named the best player at the Copa América twice, in 2015 and 2021.
For Messi, who left Rosario, Argentina, as a child and grew up in Barcelona, Spain, the Argentina national team was once a source of immense pressure. For years, he was harshly criticized by fans after repeatedly falling short at major tournaments. But in the later years of his career, he delivered a string of major titles and came to be revered by fans back home as a near-divine figure.
Messi said, "Not only in the recent years when we swept up trophies, but even before that, I gave everything on the pitch for this jersey." He added, "I did my best to bring joy to the fans and make Argentines proud."
Recent personal hardships also appear to have influenced his decision to retire. Argentina suffered a disappointing runner-up finish after losing to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in July. Then, in early August, Jorge Messi, who had been a steadfast support and also served as his agent, passed away, further solidifying his decision to step away.
Messi revealed, "I had actually already written my retirement post on July 21, right after the final ended." He added, "My father's farewell confirmed once again that it was time for me to step away from the national team."
In his post, he offered a final farewell, saying, "I will deeply miss the roar of the fans I heard on the pitch. From now on, I will support the national team with you from the outside, in both happy and sad times." He added, "I was happy to share with the fans the moments I had only dreamed about. I thank God for letting me be born Argentine."
Following Messi's retirement announcement, social media was flooded with posts praising his achievements as a national team player.
Argentines also said the retirement was expected, but that it would still be hard to accept right away.
Francisca Miet, an 18-year-old university student living in Belgrano, Buenos Aires, said, "It will be a difficult time, but I am truly grateful for everything he gave our country."
A resident walking in the same area also praised Messi, saying, "The most important thing Messi gave us was the example of persistently pursuing his dreams and goals without caring what others said."
The Argentine daily La Nación ran the headline "The End of an Era" on its website.
Meanwhile, although Messi has retired from the Argentina national team, he still has a contract with Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami CF through December 2028.
There are 13 regular-season matches left through November, along with playoff games depending on results.


[email protected] Yoon Jae-jun Reporter