Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, saying he has given everything he had to Argentina and believes it is time to step away.

The 39-year-old made the announcement on Monday in an emotional statement posted on Instagram, shortly after leading Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, where they lost 1-0 to Spain.

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that it is the right moment,” Messi said.

Messi captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, defeating France on penalties in the final in Doha, and followed that triumph by guiding the team to another final four years later.

Reflecting on his two decades with the national team, Messi said he had always given his best in the famous Argentina shirt.

“I gave everything I had, and I don’t have anything more to give,” he said, adding that a new generation of young players deserved opportunities with the national team.

Messi also thanked his family, coaches, teammates and supporters for standing by him throughout his international career.

“Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside. Now I’ll be one of you, always supporting from the outside,” he wrote.

The decision comes after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in August. Before his father’s death, Messi had revealed that he had serious doubts about continuing to play football for much longer.

Despite retiring from international football, Messi remains contracted to Major League Soccer club Inter Miami until the end of the 2028 season.

“Thank you God for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina!” Messi concluded.