Has Messi retired from international football?

Lionel Messi looked emotional after scoring twice in Argentina's 3-0 win over Venezuela at Estadio Monumental, on Thursday, 5 September.

His comments after the 2026 World Cup qualifier seemed to suggest he had played his final competitive match on home soil.

Before kick-off the 38-year-old was joined by his three sons and received a standing ovation from a crowd of 80,000.

"Being able to finish in this way here is what I always dreamed of," Messi said after the match, hinting the end of his international football career.

The Argentina captain spoke of the "emotions" and his experiences at the national team's stadium.

Messi said he has not made a decision on whether he will play at the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

"We'll see. I haven't made a decision about the World Cup.

"I'll finish the season then I'll have pre-season, and there will be six months left. So we'll see how I feel."

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner captained Argentina to their third World Cup triumph in 2022 and has scored a record 114 goals in 194 games for his country.

In June 2016 Messi retired from international football after Argentina's Copa America final defeat by Chile.

"For me, the national team is over," he said after the defeat. "I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion."

However, just two months after his announcement Messi was named in Argentina's World Cup qualifiers.

"My love for my country and this shirt is too great," he said in 2016.

With Argentina, Messi won the 2022 World Cup and Copa America twice, in 2021 and 2024 and the 2022 Finalissima - a contest between the winners of the European Championship and Copa America.

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