A Career Comes to a Close
Lionel Messi, the 39-year-old Argentine forward widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has announced his retirement from international football, bringing down the curtain on a two-decade-long career with his national team. The announcement was made on Monday, according to Al Jazeera, marking the end of an era that saw Messi accumulate an unprecedented collection of records and titles.
Messi's international journey was defined by a remarkable decade of success following a brief and dramatic retirement in 2016. After Argentina's loss to Chile in the Copa America final on June 27, 2016, Messi announced he was stepping away from international football, as reported by ABC Australia. At the time, he had made 113 appearances for his country and the pain of the defeat was cited as a motivating factor. However, he returned to lead Argentina to a period of dominance that cemented his legacy.
A Decade of Triumph
The return proved fruitful. Messi guided Argentina to the 2021 Copa America title, breaking a 28-year trophy drought, and followed it with another Copa America victory in 2024. The crowning achievement came in 2022 when Argentina won the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, defeating France on penalties after a 3-3 draw in extra time, as detailed by ABC Australia. This victory delivered Argentina's first world title since 1986.
Al Jazeera noted that Messi won the Golden Ball award for the best player of the tournament twice, in 2014 and 2022, and is the only player to have started in three World Cup finals (2014, 2022, and 2026). He also won an Olympic gold medal at Beijing 2008, assisting Angel Di Maria's winning goal.
Records and Milestones
Messi's international statistics are staggering. He represented Argentina for 21 years, from 2005 to 2026, and amassed 207 international caps, an Argentina record. He scored 125 international goals, more than double any other Argentina player, with the previous record held by Gabriel Batistuta at 54, according to Al Jazeera. His 125 goals rank second on the all-time list behind Cristiano Ronaldo's 146.
In World Cup play, Messi made 34 appearances, the most in tournament history, and scored 21 goals, second only to Kylian Mbappé's 26. He played in six World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026), tying with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most appearances in the tournament. He holds records for the most goals from penalties, the most assists, and the most Player of the Match awards (11) in World Cup history. He is also the only player to score in the World Cup in his teens, twenties, and thirties.
Beyond the World Cup, Messi holds the record for most appearances in the Copa America with 39 and provided 60 assists for Argentina, the most in the nation's history. He was the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup final at 39 years and 25 days. He also holds the record for most goals by a South American in international football.
A Storied Legacy
Messi's international career began with a difficult start—he was sent off less than a minute into his senior debut against Hungary in 2005, as recounted by ABC Australia. But he soon became a superstar at Barcelona, winning eight Ballon d'Or awards and numerous club titles, including four Champions League titles. Despite his club success, Argentina's struggles in major tournaments were a recurring theme until the recent wave of victories.
The 2022 World Cup triumph elevated Messi to the legendary status of Diego Maradona, and the two Copa America titles added to his national team's resurgence. His retirement ends a career that saw him break the hearts of fans but also deliver moments of pure joy, from Olympic gold to World Cup glory. Al Jazeera described his career as one marked by "dominance" and "elusive gold," a fitting tribute to a player who finally achieved the international success he had long sought.