Lionel Messi retires from Argentina at 37

Lionel Messi has retired from playing for Argentina’s national team after 18 years, ending his international career just two months after winning the Copa América final.

The decision comes after a decade of near-misses and a single moment of glory. Messi, now 37, was the captain of Argentina’s side that lost three major finals in a row—World Cup 2014, Copa América 2015 and 2016—before finally lifting the 2021 Copa América in Brazil and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Yet even after those wins, he continued to play for Argentina in friendlies and qualifiers, suggesting he wasn’t ready to step away. His final international appearance was the 2024 Copa América final in Miami, where Argentina beat Colombia 1-0. He played 180 minutes across two games in that tournament, showing he could still compete at the highest level.

Argentina’s football association (AFA) confirmed the retirement on Sunday. Messi leaves as the country’s all-time top scorer with 106 goals in 180 appearances. His exit marks the end of an era for Argentine football, which has now lost its most iconic player in a single generation. Without Messi, Argentina will have to rebuild around rising stars like Julián Álvarez and Thiago Almada, who will likely lead the next cycle. The question now is whether the team can sustain its recent success without its greatest player.

The retirement also closes a chapter in world football. Messi, widely considered one of the greatest players ever, ends his international career with two Copa América titles, one World Cup, and one Finalissima. His departure leaves a clear void in Argentina’s attack and leadership. The national team has already begun planning for the next cycle, including World Cup qualifiers and the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Messi’s legacy, though, will endure—both in Argentina and globally—as the standard by which future players are measured.