BUENOS AIRES — Argentina football great Lionel Messi has announced his departure from the national team, bringing an end to one of the most celebrated international careers in football history.

The 39-year-old captain announced the decision on Monday, August 31, through a post on Instagram, ending months of speculation over how long he would continue representing Argentina.

Messi leaves the national team after more than two decades at international level, having established himself as Argentina’s record scorer and one of the defining figures of his generation.

His career with Argentina ultimately ended on a high after years of disappointment in major finals. He led the country to victory at the 2021 Copa América, followed by the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where Argentina defeated France in a dramatic final.

He was also part of Argentina’s 2024 Copa América triumph, extending a remarkable period of success for the national side. Argentina went on to reach the 2026 World Cup final, with Messi still playing a central role in the team’s campaign.

The decision comes shortly after Messi produced another outstanding performance for Inter Miami, scoring four goals and providing an assist in a 7-1 MLS victory over CF Montréal on Sunday. The performance underlined his continued quality at club level despite his age.

Messi’s international journey was not always defined by success. He endured defeats in the 2014 World Cup final and Copa América finals in 2015 and 2016 before finally winning major international honours.

His relationship with international football has also included a previous retirement announcement. In 2016, after Argentina lost the Copa América final to Chile on penalties, Messi announced that he was stepping away from the national team, but later reversed the decision.

This time, however, his departure closes an extraordinary chapter for Argentina.

Messi’s legacy includes World Cup glory, multiple Copa América titles and a generation of Argentine football built around his leadership and creativity.

The Argentina Football Association president, Claudio Tapia, had said earlier this month that the decision over when Messi would retire belonged solely to the player.

With Messi now stepping away from international football, Argentina faces the challenge of building its next era without the player who has been its central figure for much of the 21st century.