Buenos aires: Lionel Messi's international career began with disappointment and ended with him leaving Argentina as the central figure of the most successful era in the country's modern football history. After more than two decades with the national team, Messi announced his international retirement at 39 after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa America titles, and the 2022 Finalissima.
According to Anadolu Agency, Messi leaves Argentina as its all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 125 goals in 207 appearances. Born in Rosario, central Argentina, in 1987, Messi joined Barcelona's youth academy as a teenager and went on to become one of football's greatest players. His international career, however, took considerably longer to reach the same heights.
Messi made his senior Argentina debut in 2005 at 18 and was sent off just minutes after coming on against Hungary. He scored his first international goal the following year against Croatia and made his World Cup debut at Germany 2006, scoring against Serbia and Montenegro. He subsequently represented Argentina at the 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026 World Cups, making a record six tournament appearances across two decades. The early years were marked by near misses, with Argentina reaching multiple finals but failing to secure victories.
The breakthrough finally came at the 2021 Copa America when Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 in the final at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium, giving Messi his first major senior international trophy with the national team. The victory ended Argentina's 28-year wait for a major men's international title, transforming the relationship between Messi and the Argentine public. A year later, Messi's leadership led Argentina to another triumph at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, further solidifying his status as a football legend.
Messi continued to lead Argentina after its World Cup triumph, securing the 2024 Copa America title and establishing Argentina as the dominant national team of the period. Despite falling short in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, Messi's legacy extends beyond his collection of medals. He became Argentina's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, holding multiple records and leaving an indelible mark on international football.
From the 18-year-old sent off on his debut to the captain who lifted the World Cup in Qatar, Messi's Argentina journey ultimately became one of perseverance, redemption, and transformation, cementing his place among the greatest players in football history.