Lionel Messi announces his retirement from the Argentina National Team

The Argentine captain announced his decision on social media. He bids farewell after more than two decades with the Albiceleste and an unforgettable legacy in the CONMEBOL Copa América™.

• Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina National Team on August 31.
• He played in seven editions of the CONMEBOL Copa América™ and won the title in 2021 and 2024.
• With 39 appearances, he holds the record for the most matches played in the history of the competition.

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina National Team. The Albiceleste captain confirmed on August 31 that he was bringing an end to an international career spanning more than two decades.

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right time,” Messi wrote in the message announcing his farewell.

The Argentine explained that he had written those words on July 21, two days after his final match for the national team, and that after taking time to reflect, he ultimately confirmed his decision.

“I gave everything I had, I have nothing more to give,” the captain added. He also thanked the fans for the affection he received throughout his 20 years with Argentina and said he would continue supporting the national team from the outside.

Messi and a unique history in the CONMEBOL Copa América™

Lionel Messi’s journey in the CONMEBOL Copa América™ began at Venezuela 2007 and spanned 17 years. The Argentine played in seven editions of the competition: 2007, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024. After reaching the Final in 2007, 2015 and 2016, he finally claimed his first continental title at Brazil 2021. Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 in the Final at the Maracanã, and Messi lifted the CONMEBOL Copa América™ trophy for the first time as captain of the Albiceleste. Three years later, he did it again.

At the CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™, Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 in the Final to claim back-to-back continental titles. It was Messi’s second CONMEBOL Copa América™ triumph and his final appearance in the competition.

The player with the most appearances in CONMEBOL Copa América™ history

Messi leaves the Argentina National Team as the holder of one of the competition’s greatest records. With 39 appearances, he is the player with the most matches played in the history of the CONMEBOL Copa América™. He surpassed legendary Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone, who ranks second with 34 appearances, while Brazil’s Zizinho completes the podium with 33.

Messi’s numbers in the CONMEBOL Copa América™

Statistic Lionel Messi

• Editions played 7
• Matches 39
• Goals 14
• Titles 2
• Champion 2021 and 2024

14 goals and a place among the competition’s all-time top scorers

In addition to holding the appearances record, Messi also ranks among the leading goalscorers in the history of the competition.

The Argentine scored 14 goals in the CONMEBOL Copa América™, a tally he shares with Peru’s Paolo Guerrero and Chile’s Eduardo Vargas.

Only Norberto Méndez and Zizinho, with 17 goals each, and Teodoro Fernández and Severino Varela, with 15 each, have scored more in the history of the competition.

Messi found the net in the 2007, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2021 editions. His best goalscoring campaign came at Brazil 2021, when he scored four goals and shared the top spot in the scoring chart with Colombia’s Luis Díaz.

From Venezuela 2007 to back-to-back titles in 2024

Messi’s CONMEBOL Copa América™ journey spanned different generations of the Argentina National Team. His first appearance came at Venezuela 2007, when he was 20 years old, with Argentina finishing as runners-up. Argentina 2011, Chile 2015, the CONMEBOL Copa América Centenario 2016™ and Brazil 2019 followed. In 2021, he finally won the title he had pursued for so many years. And in 2024, in the United States, he lifted the trophy once again as captain. His journey in the competition therefore began with a Final in 2007 and ended 17 years later as a two-time CONMEBOL Copa América™ champion.

The end of an era with Argentina

More than two decades after making his debut for the Argentina National Team, Lionel Messi has decided to bring his journey with the Albiceleste to an end. In his farewell message, the captain reflected on the moments shared with teammates, coaches and officials, and summed up the feeling with which he closes this chapter: he leaves with “peace of mind and pride” for everything they achieved together.

For the CONMEBOL Copa América™, he leaves behind a legacy with a unique place in the history of the competition: seven editions, 39 matches, 14 goals and two titles.

His final image in the tournament was lifting the trophy once again in 2024.