Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 39, bringing an end to a career with Argentina that spanned two decades. According to the BBC, Messi said the decision “hurt” but that he understands “the time has come.”

Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005 and went on to win 207 caps, becoming his country’s most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, according to Sky Sports and the Guardian. His honours include the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles.

In a statement quoted by the Guardian, Messi wrote: “It was a decision that hurt u2013 and still hurts deep down u2013 but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all u2013 not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”

Messi’s final appearance for Argentina came in the 2026 World Cup final, which his side lost 1-0 to Spain, according to Al Jazeera. He had led Argentina to World Cup glory four years earlier in 2022 and was also a runner-up in 2014.

The Guardian reported that Messi’s father, Jorge, passed away earlier in August, shortly before the retirement announcement.

Across the sources, Messi’s decision was framed as the close of a defining international career, with the player saying he had “nothing left to give” after winning the sport’s biggest honours with his national team.