"For me, the national team is over." he said after defeat by Chile in the Copa America final. "I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion."Messi, 29, has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with Spanish side Barcelona.
But his only major international honour is Olympic gold at the 2008 Games.
As well as losing two Copa America finals on penalties to Chile, Messi was in the Argentina side beaten 1-0 by Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.
The forward, who was been awarded the Ballon d'Or five times, was also on the losing side against Brazil in the 2007 Copa America final.
"It's been four finals, I tried," added Messi, who made his debut for Argentina in 2005 and has played 113 times for his country.
"It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's over.
"I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, then for everyone.
"I think there's a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it.
"It's very hard, but the decision is taken. Now I will not try more and there will be no going back."
Messi had scored five times at this year's Copa America, including a superb free-kick in the semi-final win over hosts the USA.
That goal made him his country's record scorer with 55 goals, eclipsing the 54-goal mark of striker Gabriel Batistuta.
REACTION
Argentina and Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero said he hoped Messi would "reflect" on his decision and reconsider.
"I think he spoke while he was heated, because a beautiful opportunity escaped us," said Romero. "I can't imagine a national team without Messi."
Sergio Aguero described the mood in the Argentina dressing room as "the worst I've ever been in" and suggested others may follow Messi's lead.
"There are several players who are evaluating not continuing with the national team," the Manchester City striker told South American media.
He added: "It is the worst defeat ever, worse than the two other finals. So the thinking is it might be time to make room for other players."
After leaving Argentina for Barcelona when he was 13, it has been suggested there is "less room for forgiveness" for Messi in his native country.
But following defeat by Chile, there was more criticism of Napoli striker Higuain, who missed the game's best chance when firing wide in a one-on-one with Chile keeper Claudio Bravo after 20 minutes.Higuain missed a key chance in the World Cup final against Germany in Brazil, too, and also missed a penalty in the shootout when Chile beat Argentina in last year's Copa final.
Argentina are already six games into their qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup. They are third in the table, two points behind leaders Uruguay.
The top four teams progress to the finals in Russia, while the team finishing fifth qualifies for a two-legged play-off against the best team from Oceania.
Analysis
South American football expert Tim Vickery:
Before Sunday's match, Argentina football legend Diego Maradona said that the team should not bother coming home if they lose. Year in, year out, Messi has been more consistent at the highest level than Maradona was.
But Maradona has that title. He was the leader of the pack when Argentina won the World Cup in 1986. His form in the quarters and the semi-finals, against England and Belgium, was out of this world...
Sunday's Copa America final finished 0-0 after 120 minutes, with Chile eventually winning 4-2 on penalties.
Messi missed Argentina's first attempt from the spot, ballooning his shot over the bar after Romero had denied Chile's Arturo Vidal.
Lucas Biglia also missed from 12 yards, with Chilean substitute Francisco Silva scoring the decisive penalty in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Copa America usually takes place every four years, but this was an extra tournament to celebrate the competition's centenary.
IN ADDITION
Argentina and Manchester city footballer Sergio Aguero and Barcelona player Javier Mascherano have followed Lionel Messi to quit international football after suffering a heart breaking Copa America final loss to Chile early this morning. Messi, who lost his second cup final with Argentina in two years, was the first to retire from International duty and now Mascherano and Aguero have also followed suit, with reports in Argentina suggesting that Angel Di Maria, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Gonzalo Higuain and Lucas Biglia could all also quit. Messi said: “For me the national team is over. I’ve done all I can, it hurts not to be a champion. “My thinking right now and thinking about it in the locker room, I’m done playing with the national team.” Speaking after the game, Aguero said: “”There are several players who are evaluating not continuing with the national team. “This is the worst locker room I’ve ever been in, worse than the final in the World Cup in Brazil and the other Copa America.” Mascherano, who has been the backbone of the Argentine defence, was part of the national team which made it to three major finals. It looks like the pain of losing three finals in a row seems to be too much for the Barcelona star. He served as skipper of the side as well from 2008-2011.
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