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Tuesday, 1 September 2026dailybeirut.com
Football
Lionel Messi confirmed his international retirement on Monday, ending a 21-year Argentina career marked by 207 appearances, 125 goals, and the 2022 World Cup title.
Argentina’s national team shirt is now without its longest-serving captain, as Lionel Messi formally ended his international career on Monday after 207 appearances and 125 goals for the country.
The 39-year-old forward, who will continue playing for Inter Miami, led Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 and captained the side to this year’s tournament final.
Messi debuted for Argentina in 2005 at age 18 and remained in the national setup for 21 years — a span that included eight Ballon d’Or awards.
He had previously retired from international football following Argentina’s 2016 Copa América final loss to Chile, but returned after persuasion and went on to play another decade.
“It’s so hard to read that you’re retiring; we won’t be seeing you wearing the sky blue and white colours anymore,” said Angel Di Maria, a member of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad. “All I know is that I was born in the right century to be able to witness you play, relish your performances and, on top of that, share all those years with you in the national team. To see you fulfill your dreams, and your greatest dream of all – to become world champion.”
“Thank you so much for everything; you’re a legend and the greatest of all time,” Di Maria added.
Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul recalled Messi’s conduct within the squad: “Your unconditional love for our country, your inner struggles to never give up, your strength in always enduring injustice, your leadership and kindness towards every player who stepped onto the training ground to make them feel at home, the little gestures you showed to every member of our national team’s staff.”
“I can only say thank you – you are the greatest of all time. Thank you for making us so, so happy; you have no idea how many smiles you brought to our faces. You are eternal,” De Paul said.
Enzo Fernandez reflected: “I’ve spent so many years seeing you there that it seems impossible to imagine it any other way. How lucky I was, Leo... thank you for treating me the way you did, for everything you taught me and for letting me be part of your story. We’re going to miss you so much, captain.”
Messi retires as the second-highest male international goalscorer, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo.
His trajectory mirrors that of Diego Maradona — another diminutive No 10 who delivered Argentina’s 1986 World Cup triumph and is similarly viewed as one of football’s all-time greatest players.
Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association, called Messi “the captain of our dreams” and referred to him by his childhood nickname, La Pulga (The Flea).
“That alien who made possible what so often seemed impossible… You are already a legend of this land, of our national team and of world football. You made us believe in magic. And perhaps that’s why we find it hard to accept that time marches on for you too. The Argentina national team shirt is your flag. And our people’s love for you will last forever,” Tapia said.
