(FILES) Argentina's forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against Venezuela during their FIFA World Cup South Africa-2010 qualifier football match at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on March 28, 2009. Argentine football player Lionel Messi said on August 31, 2026, he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final. (Photo by Alejandro PAGNI / AFP via Getty Images)