LIONEL MESSI RETIRES FROM ARGENTINA NATIONAL TEAM

Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on Monday, officially ending one of the greatest international careers of all time.

Inter Miami CF's legendary No. 10 confirmed the news on his social media account, calling it a "decision that hurt, and still hurts deep down, but I understand that the time has come.

"I swear to you that I always gave it my all: not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football."

Argentina icon

Messi retires from international duty as a national team hero, rivalled only by the late Diego Armando Maradona. 

His 125 goals, 68 assists and 207 appearances are all Argentina records, while he ranks top-four all-time in caps, top-two in goals and No. 1 in assists across international soccer. 

The 39-year-old reached his greatest heights with La Albiceleste at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, leading the country to its third title with 7g/3a over the course of a memorable tournament that culminated with a legendary final win over France. 

Messi also won two Copa Américas (2021, '24) with Argentina, and reached the 2014 and 2026 World Cup finals. He is the only player in history to win two World Cup Golden Ball awards (2014, '22) and the only player to start three World Cup finals (2014, '22, '26).

Thank you for giving us the most beautiful journey of our lives. Your legacy and professionalism will remain forever etched in our hearts.

Thank you, Captain. We love you 🩵 pic.twitter.com/ARfgguHjxd

— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) August 31, 2026

Emotional end

Monday's announcement capped an emotional summer for Messi, who guided Argentina to their second straight World Cup final with 8g/4a in eight games, before falling to Spain, 1-0, in the 2026 title match. 

That turned out to be his last appearance with La Albiceleste. It also came a few weeks before the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner mourned the passing of his father, Jorge Messi.

"I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final," Messi concluded in his statement.

"Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before."

🚨🚨 LEO MESSI ON IG 🥹🎥 pic.twitter.com/8xO5lcfI2e

— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) August 31, 2026

Statement in full

Messi, the most decorated soccer player in history, addressed his millions of followers on Monday to officially announce the end of his remarkable 21-year run with Argentina:

"After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team.

"It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deep down, but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all: not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

"Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the National Team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.

"Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad, especially the bad).

"Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey, so beautiful, yet so difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I’ve shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.

"I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, alongside my teammates, moments we once only dreamed of. It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you!

"Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.

"Let's go, Argentina!

"I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before."

Jaime Uribarri

LIONEL MESSI NETS TWO AS INTER MIAMI STUNS CINCINNAATI IN 8-GOAL THRILLER

Lionel Messi had two goals and an assist, Germán Berterame had the go-ahead goal in the 84th minute and Inter Miami CF rallied for a 5-3 victory over FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, extending its road winning streak to seven.

It is the third time this season the Argentine superstar has had at least three goal contributions in a match. He is second in the league with 12 goals.

Mateo Silvetti evened it at 3-3 in the 79th minute after coming on as a substitute.

Kévin Denkey, Pavel Bucha and Evander scored for Cincinnati. It is the first time in 64 matches since Pat Noonan became coach in 2023 that it lost when it had the lead after 75 minutes.

Messi gave Miami a 1-0 lead at the 24-minute mark after he deflected a shot that went off Cincinnati's Matt Miazga near the Cincinnati goal. Denkey evened it on a penalty kick in the 41st minute.

"Speaking about Leo is truly striking, first because of the person he is, and second because of the player you see on the pitch," Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said after the game.

Lionel Messi has amassed 61 goals and 42 assists in 65 MLS regular-season appearances. Photo by Chris Carter/MLS via Getty Images

After Bucha put Cincinnati on top in the 49th minute, Messi made it 2-2 six minutes later on a cutback after getting the pass from Luis Suárez.

The 38-year-old Argentina star recorded his 21st multi-goal game in MLS, extending his record for the most such games since his 2023 debut. LAFC striker Denis Bouanga follows in second place with 17.

Evander's in the 64th minute with a right footer from the center just outside the box to give Cincinnati a 3-2 lead. Miami though would rally and score the next three goals.

After Silvetti's goal, Miami took the lead off a set piece when Cincinnati's Andrei Chirila collided with goalkeeper Roman Celentano, allowing Berterame to put it into the open net.

Messi appeared to have a hat trick in the 89th minute when his shot went off the post and deflected off Celentano, but it was corrected to an own goal shortly after the match. It would have been Messi's 61st hat trick in all competitions.

"Him [Messi] Rodrigo [De Paul] and [Luis] Suárez are players who truly elevate the MLS. What they accomplished today was brilliant, simply brilliant. To perform that way on a difficult pitch, against a very tough opponent, s  peaks volumes," Hoyos added.

-ESPN News Services

INTER MIAMI'S LIONEL MESSI WINS 2025 MLS GOLDEN BOOT PRESENTED BY AUDI

Inter Miami CF superstar Lionel Messi has won the 2025 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi, netting 29 goals to become the league's top scorer during his second full season with the Herons.

Messi added 19 assists as he beat out LAFC's Denis Bouanga (24 goals) and Nashville SC's Sam Surridge (24 goals). He is Miami's first-ever Golden Boot winner and the first Argentine to take home the award since Valentín "Taty" Castellanos did so with New York City FC in 2021.

The iconic No. 10 tallied 3g/1a during Saturday's 5-2 Decision Day victory at Nashville, giving him 48 goal contributions this year – narrowly shy of Carlos Vela's MLS-record 49 for LAFC in 2019.

Now, Messi looks poised to become the league's first-ever back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP winner, following a historic 2024 campaign that helped Miami claim that year's Supporters' Shield in record-breaking fashion.

Messi and Miami are the Eastern Conference No. 3 seed in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, where they'll face No. 6 Nashville in a Round One Best-of-3 Series. This year's MLS Cup champion will be crowned on Dec. 6.

Messi, the most decorated soccer player of all time, now adds the MLS Golden Boot to his unmatched resumé. He's the latest in an exclusive list of players who have clinched the honor since the league's inaugural season in 1996.

From 1996-2004, the MLS Golden Boot was awarded under a points-based system that gave two points for a goal and one for an assist, before switching to outright goals. Check out the full list of winners below.

MLS Golden Boot winners 2005-2025 (outright goals)

2025: Lionel Messi, Miami - 29 goals

2024: Christian Benteke, D.C. - 23 goals

2023: Denis Bouanga, LAFC - 20 goals

2022: Hany Mukhtar, Nashville - 23 goals

2021: Taty Castellanos, NYCFC - 19 goals

2020: Diego Rossi, LAFC - 14 goals

2019: Carlos Vela, LAFC - 34 goals

2018: Josef Martínez, Atlanta - 31 goals

2017: Nemanja Nikolić, Chicago - 24 goals

2016: Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York - 24 goals

2015: Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto - 22 goals

2014: Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York - 27 goals

2013: Camilo Sanvezzo, Vancouver - 22 goals

2012: Chris Wondolowski, San Jose - 27 goals

2011: Dwayne De Rosario, D.C. - 16 goals

2010: Chris Wondolowski, San Jose - 18 goals

2009: Jeff Cunningham, Dallas - 17 goals

2008: Landon Donovan, LA - 20 goals

2007: Luciano Emilio, D.C. - 20 goals

2006: Jeff Cunningham, Salt Lake - 16 goals

2005: Taylor Twellman, New England - 17 goals

MLS Golden Boot winners 1996-2004 (points-based system)

2004: Amado Guevara, Pat Noonan; MetroStars, New England - 30 points

2003: Preki, Kansas City - 41 points

2002: Taylor Twellman, New England - 52 points

2001: Alex Pineda Chacón, Miami - 47 points

2000: Mamadou Diallo, Tampa Bay - 56 points

1999: Jason Kreis, Dallas- 51 points

1998: Stern John, Columbus - 57 points

1997: Preki, Kansas City - 41 points

1996: Roy Lassiter, Tampa Bay- 58 points

- MLSsoccer staff

MESSI & TEAM ARRIVE FOR THEIR FIRST PRESEASON GAME

 

INTER MIAMI'S MESSI SETS TWO RECORDS, INCLUDING 5-ASSIST GAME

After his record-setting game against New York Red Bulls, Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has 10 goals and 12 assists in just eight games played this season. Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

 Lionel Messi set the Major League Soccer record for most goal contributions and assists in a single match during Inter Miami CF's triumphant 6-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Messi's six goal contributions and five assists in a game set MLS records. He has now scored and assisted in six consecutive league matches.

"All [goals] were fundamental to the game, but Leo did something historic tonight with five assists and one goal," Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said.

"But I can't forget Suarez's three goals and Rojas' two goals. The first, well both, but the first Rojas goal was amazing. But because of the technical aspect of Leo on the assist I will choose Luis Suárez's scissor goal as my favorite."

Suárez had three goals and Matías Rojas scored twice as Inter Miami got six unanswered goals to come back from a 1-0 deficit at halftime.

Messi and Suárez now have a league-leading 10 goals each, and the Argentina star also leads MLS in assists with 12.

"It's easier with Leo. Obviously we know each other, and sometimes you'll notice we know where the other is and do movements without having to look at one another. It's good for the team," Suárez said.

Martino and Messi boast a long history together, coinciding at Barcelona and playing against each other while the Herons coach led the national teams of Paraguay and Mexico. Even with years of experience watching Messi, Martino maintains the forward's performance against the Red Bulls will be difficult to witness again.

"Messi had exceptional games in Barcelona, during my time with him," he said. "But I also remember a semifinal with Paraguay in the Copa America in Chile, where he didn't score a goal and he was still the best player on the field. In Barcelona, he had a game against Valencia where we were losing 2-0 and then won 3-2 with three goals from him. And there was another against Sevilla where we were losing 1-0 and then he scored three goals and we won 4-1. I always say this, and it's redundant at this point, but he always does something new. To have involvement in all six goals of a team's 6-2 is something that will be difficult to see again."

Messi has quickly become an integral part of Inter Miami's success. Since he debuted with the Herons in July 2023, Inter Miami is 2-4-6 (WDL) when he does not play and 15-7-3 when he is on the pitch across all competitions.

"He's not the key component just because of this game. He always is. Today, the association between Messi and Luis in the second half worked well, like old times. When they find each other, the team is able to back them up in the game, and when we find space, they are very influential in the game," Martino added.

Miami continues to lead the Eastern Conference table with 24 points in 12 games.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

LIONEL MESSI, INTER MIAMI FACE QUESTIONING FROM HONG KONG GOVERNMENT

Lionel Messi was unable to take part in Inter Miami's preseason game in Hong Kong on Sunday. Fred Lee/Getty Images

 The Hong Kong government demanded answers from Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi on Wednesday after the Argentine played in a friendly in Japan just three days after missing a similar exhibition match in its country.

Hong Kong's Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said in a statement that, like the fans, it was very disappointed that Messi could not play in Hong Kong due to injury.

"However three days later, Messi was able to play actively and freely in Japan," the statement read. "The government hopes the organisers and teams can provide reasonable explanations."

Many in the financial hub were dismayed on Sunday when the 36-year-old did not come onto the field during a much hyped Inter Miami match to a sell-out crowd with fans demanding answers and a refund.

Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said Messi was deemed unfit to play in Sunday's match in the Hong Kong friendly after saying before the game that it was likely he would play. The World Cup winner came on as a 60th minute substitute on Wednesday in Miami's shootout loss to Japanese side Vissel Kobe.

DAVID BECKHAM'S GENIUS MLS CONTRACT

LAFC VS. INTER MIAMI CF | HIGHLIGHTS

 

INTER MIAMI CF VS. FC NASHVILLE | MLS HIGHLIGHTS

 

MESSI, INTER MIAMI ADVANCED TO US OPEN CUP FINAL

LIONEL MESSI & INTER MIAMI WIN THE LEAGUES CUP 2023

 

LIONEL MESSI: MLS POISED FOR STEP TO CATCH EUROPEAN LEAGUES

Getty

MLS might not be on the level of Europe's top leagues, but global superstar Lionel Messi said he believes it isn't far behind.

In his first media interview Thursday since joining Inter Miami CF in July as a free agent, the World Cup winner with Argentina said MLS is poised to reach the level of competition on the other side of the Atlantic.

"I think it has every opportunity to do so," Messi told ESPN's Luis Miguel Echegaray. "That growth depends a lot on the league. It's an ideal moment to grow. There are important competitions upcoming that will be played in this country [2024 Copa America, 2026 FIFA World Cup].

MESSI MAGIC CONTINUES AS INTER MIAMI REACH LEAGUES CUP FINAL

AP

Lionel Messi notched his ninth goal in six matches as Inter Miami crushed Philadelphia Union 4-1 to reach the Leagues Cup final on Tuesday.

Philadelphia, who made the MLS Cup final last year and have a dominant record at home, were poised to be Miami's biggest test since the latter added the Argentinean striker to their roster last month.

INTER MIAMI 4-0 CHARLOTTE

MESSI BRINGS A "BRIGHT" & "PROFITABLE" FUTURE FOR INTER MIAMI CF & MLS

USA TODAY Sports 

Inter Miami CF, saddled with a regular-season winning percentage just above 41% four years into their existence, have never been more popular. Such is Messi Mania -- the transfer saga, the belabored unveiling, the Leagues Cup debut and his dominance-in-progress -- seemingly destined to divide league history into pre-and-post "Pulga" as Miami surrounds the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner with fellow former Barcelona tiki-taka alumni.

"The future of soccer in America is so bright," Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said in an Adidas news conference on the eve of Lionel Messi's debut with the MLS club. "I've seen the growth of it over the last 10, 15 years ... Bringing someone like [Messi] not just to Inter Miami, but to MLS, to America, it means so much. You have the eyes of not just Latina America, but the world on Miami."

WHY MESSI AND MIAMI CAN WIN THE LEAGUE CUP

INTER MIAMI VS. ATLANTA UNITED | MLS HIGHLIGHTS

MESSI SCORES TWICE AS INTER MILAN THRASH ATLANTA 4-0

Reuters 

Lionel Messi scored two first half goals and assisted on another in the second to lead Inter Miami to a 4-0 dismantling of Atlanta United and advance to the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup on Tuesday.

After coming off the bench to score a dramatic game winner in his debut on Friday night, the World Cup champion from Argentina wasted no time in his first start with the MLS side.

MESSI TO CAPTAIN INTER MIAMI, SAYS COACH MARTINO

USA TODAY Sports 

World Cup winner Lionel Messi will be the new captain of Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer (MLS) side's coach Tata Martino confirmed on Monday.

Messi, who signed for Miami earlier this month, wore the captain's armband on his debut for the club in a Leagues Cup tie against Liga MX's Cruz Azul on Friday, in which the Argentine forward scored a stoppage-time free-kick.

LIONEL MESSI WINS IT FOR INTER MIAMI CF 🙌 🔥