Sports · 1 September 2026
Lionel Messi Retires from International Football
Exam-focused facts from the 1 September 2026 current affairs briefing.
Key facts
- Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football seven weeks after Argentina lost to Spain in the World Cup final in the US.
- Messi's last international match was the World Cup final against Spain.
- Messi captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and two Copa América titles.
- Messi said the death of his father, Jorge, in early August made him more convinced about retiring.
- Messi retires as Argentina's record appearance maker with 207 caps and record scorer with 125 goals.
- Messi previously announced his retirement in 2016 after a Copa América final loss to Chile but was persuaded to continue.
- Messi won the Under-20 World Cup and also won Olympic gold in 2008.