Doha: Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami CF forward, has announced his retirement from international football after a long and illustrious career with his national team.

According to Qatar News Agency, Messi issued a lengthy statement on his official social media accounts, revealing his decision to retire from international football with the Argentina national team following the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. He mentioned that the decision was made after deep reflection.

The former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star acknowledged that retiring was a painful decision, one that continues to affect him deeply. However, he emphasized that it was the right time for him to step away from international duties.

Messi expressed that he had given his absolute best to the national team, not just in recent years marked by significant victories, but throughout his entire career.

The Argentine icon highlighted his unwavering commitment to the national team, striving to bring joy and pride to Argentine fans.

During his tenure with Argentina, Messi secured two Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, along with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. His international career concluded with a narrow 1-0 loss to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.