Lionel Messi. Photo Matthias Hangst / Getty Images
“It was a painful decision — and it still is very painful — but I realise that the time has come,” Messi wrote on Instagram.
From painful defeats to World Cup glory
Messi made his debut for the Argentina senior national team in 2005 at the age of 18. His first match against Hungary lasted just a few minutes: the forward came on as a substitute and was soon shown a red card, according to the AP.
His early years with the national team were not easy. Argentina, with Messi in the line-up, lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany, and then lost twice to Chile in Copa América finals — in 2015 and at the Copa América Centenario in 2016. Following the 2016 defeat, Messi announced his retirement from the national team, but soon returned.
The turning point came in 2021. Argentina beat Brazil in the final of the 2021 Copa América, held in Rio de Janeiro, and Messi won his first major title with the senior national team.
A year later came the crowning achievement of his international career. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Messi scored seven goals, including two in the final against France. Argentina won the match on penalties, and Messi became a world champion for the first time.
In 2024, Argentina won the Copa América once again, this time with the tournament taking place in the USA. In the final, Messi’s team beat Colombia 1–0 in extra time. Messi thus ended his career with two Copa América titles – in 2021 and 2024 – and a World Cup title.
The final chapter with the national team
Messi’s final tournament for the national team was the 2026 World Cup. Argentina reached the final but lost 0–1 to Spain in extra time. This was the third World Cup final of Messi’s career, following a defeat to Germany in 2014 and a victory over France in 2022.
In terms of goals scored for his national team, Messi is second only to Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 146 goals for Portugal to his name. Messi is also an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Messi wrote about his decision to retire on 21 July – two days after the 2026 World Cup final. He postponed publishing the post due to his father’s serious illness.
Messi will now continue his club career at Inter Miami. He has not yet announced his retirement from club football.
After 21 years with the national team, Messi leaves as its all-time record holder for appearances and goals, a World Cup winner and a two-time Copa América winner. His name has firmly gone down in the history of world football alongside Diego Maradona and Pelé.
Photo: Matthias Hangst / Getty Images
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