Lionel Messi has brought the curtain down on an extraordinary 21-year international career, announcing his retirement from Argentina duty six weeks after the country’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
The 39-year-old leaves the international stage as Argentina’s most-capped player and record goalscorer, having made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals for the Albiceleste.
His journey with Argentina began in 2005 as an 18-year-old and evolved from a difficult introduction to a remarkable era of triumph, heartbreak and redemption.
A Nightmare International Debut
Messi’s first appearance for Argentina came in a friendly against Hungary in Budapest in 2005, but it lasted barely 90 seconds.
Introduced as a substitute, the teenage forward was shown a red card after the referee deemed that he had used his elbow.
The setback was quickly forgotten as Messi began establishing himself in the national team.
He made his World Cup debut at Germany 2006, coming on in Argentina’s 6-0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro and scoring the final goal.
It was his first World Cup appearance and his first goal at the tournament — the beginning of what would become a remarkable World Cup story.
Brazil 2014: First World Cup Final
By the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Messi had already established himself as one of football’s greatest players following a glittering club career with Barcelona.
Yet international glory had continued to elude him.
Argentina had suffered quarter-final defeats to Germany at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, while Messi had also endured disappointment in the Copa America.
As captain under coach Alejandro Sabella, Messi inspired Argentina through the 2014 tournament, scoring in each of their three group matches.
Although his goals dried up in the knockout stages, Argentina reached the World Cup final for the first time since 1990.
Germany, however, broke Argentine hearts at the Maracana, with Mario Gotze’s extra-time goal securing a 1-0 victory.
2016: Messi’s Lowest Point
The disappointment intensified two years later.
After Argentina lost the 2015 Copa America final to Chile on penalties, Messi returned to the Copa America Centenario in the United States determined to finally win a major international trophy.
Argentina reached the final again — only to face Chile once more.
