Sports · 2 hours ago

Lionel Messi will retire from international football after 2026 World Cup

Bryan Berlin via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The 39-year-old eight-time Ballon d’Or winner announced he would step back after the next World Cup. His final match for Argentina will be a friendly against Benin on Tuesday night in Buenos Aires. Messi's departure marks the end of an era, having secured a World Cup, two Copa Americas, and an Olympic gold medal.

By BriefTea Editorial · 6 October 2026 at 18:02

Reported by The Independent · How we write briefs

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