Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing his Argentina career to an end at the age of 39.

Messi made the announcement on Instagram on Monday, saying he no longer has anything left to give the national team and believes younger players deserve the opportunity to represent Argentina.

“I’m stepping aside because there is nothing more to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up behind me who deserve to be there,” Messi wrote.

The decision comes two days after Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain. Messi also said the death of his father earlier this month played a role in convincing him that it was time to leave the national team.

“I swear that I always gave my all, not just in the last few years when we won everything, but before as well,” he wrote. “I always fought and gave everything for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you proud to be Argentinian through football.”

Messi acknowledged the difficulty of ending a career that has spanned two decades.

“There’s not much time left, and chapters are closing, and this is one that hurts me deeply,” he said. “I loved, loved, and will always love being on the national team.”

He thanked Argentina supporters for their backing throughout his international career and said he would now support the team from the sidelines.

“Thank you for all the love and support over these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much,” Messi wrote. “Now I’m going to be just one of you, cheering and supporting you from the sidelines.”

This is the second time Messi has announced his retirement from Argentina duty. He first stepped away in 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa América final to Chile, but returned to the national team shortly afterward.

Messi made his senior Argentina debut in 2005 at the age of 18. He went on to win the Copa América in 2021 and 2024 before leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar.

His international career ends with Messi established as one of the most successful players in Argentina's history.