Lionel Messi’s Argentina journey: Six moments that defined a legendary career

Lionel Messi’s international career did not end with the fairytale he might have wanted. But after 21 years, six World Cups, 207 appearances and 125 goals, the Argentine leaves behind something far bigger than a final scoreline.

The 39-year-old confirmed his retirement from international football on Monday, bringing to a close one of the most remarkable and emotionally complicated relationships between a player and his country.

Messi won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles, finally answering years of criticism over his record with Argentina. His last international appearance came in the 2026 World Cup final, where Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time.

Here are six moments that shaped his Argentina story.

1. A debut he would rather forget

Messi's Argentina career began in 2005, when he was just 18.

His first senior appearance lasted only a matter of seconds. He was sent off shortly after coming on against Hungary after the referee judged that he had used his arm against an opponent.

It was hardly the start expected for a player who would eventually become Argentina's most-capped footballer and leading goalscorer.

A year later, Messi made his World Cup debut against Serbia and Montenegro in Germany. He scored in a 6-0 victory, beginning a relationship with the tournament that would last two decades.

2. The heartbreak of Brazil 2014

By the 2014 World Cup, Messi was already one of football's biggest stars.

Argentina reached the final in Brazil, with Messi scoring in each of the team's three group matches. He was named the tournament's best player, but the biggest prize remained out of reach.

Germany beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time at the Maracanã.

It was the first of two World Cup final defeats Messi would experience.

3. The night he walked away

If 2014 hurt, the 2016 Copa América final broke him.

Argentina lost to Chile on penalties for the second consecutive year. Messi missed Argentina's first kick in the shoot-out and was visibly devastated.

He briefly announced his retirement from international football afterwards.

“For me the national team is over,” he said at the time.

It lasted only six weeks.

Messi returned, giving himself another chance to win the trophy that had repeatedly escaped him.

4. The breakthrough at the 2021 Copa América

The turning point finally came in Brazil.

Argentina defeated the hosts 1-0 in the 2021 Copa América final, with Ángel Di María scoring the decisive goal.

For Messi, it was more than another medal. It was his first major senior international title with Argentina.

The years of criticism began to give way to something else: belief.

5. Qatar 2022 — the crowning moment

Messi arrived at the 2022 World Cup at 35, perhaps facing his last realistic opportunity to win football's biggest prize.

Instead, he produced one of the defining World Cup campaigns of his career.

He scored seven goals and provided three assists as Argentina reached the final. Against France, he scored twice before converting his penalty in the shoot-out as Argentina became world champions for the third time.

After finally lifting the trophy, Messi said he could not ask for anything more.

For many Argentines, the debate over whether Messi belonged in the same conversation as Diego Maradona was effectively over.

6. One last final — and a difficult goodbye

Messi continued beyond Qatar and helped Argentina win another Copa América in 2024.

Then came the 2026 World Cup.

At 39, he became the first player to appear in six World Cups and extended his record for World Cup appearances to 34.

Argentina reached the final again, but Spain ended their title defence with a 1-0 extra-time victory.

There was no second consecutive World Cup for Messi. There was no perfect farewell.

Instead, the defeat became his final international match.

On Monday, Messi confirmed what many had expected.

“It is a decision that hurts — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come,” he wrote.

He leaves Argentina as its record appearance-maker and leading scorer, with 207 caps and 125 goals. He also leaves as a World Cup winner and two-time Copa América champion.

His story with Argentina was never simply about goals or trophies. It was about expectation, disappointment, criticism, persistence and, eventually, redemption.

The final chapter did not have the ending many imagined.

But Messi had already written enough of the story to make his place in Argentine football history secure.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.