Lionel Messi has ended his Argentina career at a deeply emotional point, with the death of his father and a painful World Cup final defeat preceding his decision
to walk away from international football.
The 39-year-old announced his retirement from the national team on Monday, August 31, bringing an extraordinary 21-year international career to a close. Messi's decision came just over three weeks after his father, Jorge Messi, died aged 68 following a long illness.
The Argentina captain also referenced his father's death directly in his retirement message, saying he was "more convinced than ever" about his decision after what happened to Jorge.
What Happened To Lionel Messi's Father Jorge Messi?
Jorge Messi died on August 7 at a medical clinic in Rosario, Argentina, aged 68, following a prolonged illness.
According to the supplied reports, Jorge had spent his final months moving between a medical centre in Rosario and his home, where he was surrounded by his wife Celia and children Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.
The family confirmed his death through Reuters.
Jorge had been one of the most important figures in Messi's life and career. He supported his son from his earliest days as a footballer in Rosario and later served as his representative as Messi's career at Barcelona and with Argentina developed.
Messi had previously spoken about how much his father's opinion meant to him, saying he always sought Jorge's approval after matches and would ask him what he thought of his performance.
Jorge Messi Was With Him Through Argentina's Greatest Triumphs
Jorge's role in Messi's career extended well beyond that of a parent.
He remained closely involved as Messi became one of the world's greatest footballers and was there for some of the defining moments of his son's career.
After Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Jorge was photographed holding Messi's Best Player of the World Cup trophy.
That victory was particularly significant for Messi and his family after years of international disappointment. For much of his career, the Barcelona great had faced relentless scrutiny over his inability to deliver a major senior trophy with Argentina.
The 2021 Copa America changed that narrative before Messi finally achieved the ultimate prize in Qatar a year later.
Messi's Father Was Ill During The 2026 World Cup
The circumstances surrounding Jorge's illness also cast a different light on Messi's emotional moments during the 2026 World Cup.
Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's opening match against Algeria but broke down in tears while celebrating one of his goals.
Asked about the reaction afterwards, Messi explained that it was related to something away from football and that he had been going through "a few difficult, complicated days".
Days later, the Messi family confirmed that Jorge was undergoing medical treatment.
Messi continued to lead Argentina through the tournament, eventually taking them to the World Cup final against Spain.
Argentina Lost The World Cup Final
Messi's final match for Argentina came in the 2026 World Cup final on July 19.
Argentina lost to Spain, ending Messi's final attempt to add another World Cup title to the one he won in Qatar in 2022.
Just two days after the defeat, on July 21, Messi wrote the message that would eventually announce his retirement.
He did not immediately make the decision public. More than a month later, on August 31, he formally confirmed that his time with Argentina was over.
Why Did Messi Retire From International Football?
Messi's retirement cannot be attributed to one single event.
His father's death was clearly an important part of the emotional context, with Messi himself referring to Jorge in his announcement. But his message also suggested that he had reached the natural end of his international career.
"There's not much time left, and chapters are closing," Messi wrote.
He added that he had given everything to Argentina and had nothing more to give, while pointing to the younger generation coming through the national team.
"It was a decision that hurt and still hurts to my core, but I understand that it's the right time," Messi wrote.
Messi is also continuing his club career with Inter Miami, meaning his retirement is specifically from international football rather than from the sport itself.
Messi's Long And Complicated Argentina Journey
The decision brings an end to one of the most remarkable - and at times difficult - international careers in football history.
Messi's early years with Argentina were defined as much by disappointment as individual brilliance.
He endured a quarter-final exit at the 2006 World Cup and another in 2010 before reaching the 2014 World Cup final, where Argentina lost to Germany.
He then suffered consecutive Copa America final defeats in 2015 and 2016. The latter loss to Chile prompted Messi to briefly retire from international football before he returned.
The breakthrough finally arrived in 2021.
Argentina defeated Brazil in the Copa America final to give Messi his first major senior international trophy. A year later, he captained Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar.
Argentina then won another Copa America in 2024 before reaching the 2026 World Cup final.
Messi's Final Argentina Record
Messi leaves the national team as Argentina's record appearance-maker and leading scorer.
He finishes with 125 international goals and 68 assists in 207 appearances, having won three major senior international trophies.
His individual record is equally significant. Messi won the World Cup Golden Ball in 2014 and 2022, the World Cup Silver Ball in 2026, the Copa America Golden Ball in 2015 and 2021, and the Copa America Golden Boot in 2021.
A Different Ending To Messi's Argentina Story
For years, Messi's international legacy was framed around what he had failed to win.
By the time he walked away, that argument had disappeared.
He had won the Copa America, the World Cup and another Copa America. He had become Argentina's most prolific scorer and most-capped player, while establishing himself as the central figure of the country's most successful era in decades.
Yet the final months of his Argentina career carried a very different weight.
His father, who had been beside him through the journey, died after a long illness. Argentina then lost the World Cup final. Messi subsequently decided that his time with the national team had come to an end.
After 21 years, Messi leaves Argentina not because he has nothing left to prove, but because he believes he has given everything he had to give.
