Lionel Messi announced retirement from playing for the Argentinian national team. This brings to an end an incredible career for the country in which he has played for 207 times and scored 125 goals. Messi has announced this through social media, marking the close of a journey of 20 years which started in 2005 and includes some of the most disappointing and memorable moments for Argentina. The star retires as Argentina’s most capped and highest-scoring player. He retires after helping Argentina to win the 2021 and 2024 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Messi Retires from Argentina Team
In his statement, Messi noted that it was a difficult decision but the time had come to move on.
He indicated that in the entire career, he had poured everything into the jersey of Argentina and even during the years when it was struggling in the world cups.
His retirement marks the end of a 20-year international career in which he has gone from being a very talented young man to become the best footballer ever to play the game.
From International Disappointment to World Cup Success
Messi has seen a lot of disappointments during his early years in the Argentina national team. He assisted his country to make it to the final match in the 2014 World Cup tournament where it was beaten by Germany in extra time.
The years following this saw even more disappointments. In 2015 and 2016, the country lost back-to-back Copa America finals, losing the second in 2016 to Chile after penalties.
After the 2016 final, Messi decided to retire from international football. However, this lasted only several months.
The Golden Years of Argentina With Messi
Messi earned his first adult international medal with Argentina in 2021 after winning the Copa América against Brazil at the Maracanã stadium.
A year later, Messi helped Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar. He played as the captain of the team and scored seven goals in the World Cup while leading his team to victory over France in the final match.
Argentinian national football team won the Copa América 2024 under Messi. He therefore won two Copa América and one World Cup titles with Argentina.
In addition, he led Argentina to the finals of the 2026 World Cup, in which the team was defeated by Spain.
Messi’s International Achievements and Records
Messi leaves Argentina having accomplished the following feats,
- 207 international appearances
- 125 international goals
- Highest number of appearances for Argentina
- Argentina’s all-time top goal scorer
- Second highest goal scorer in international football for men
- 7 goals at the 2022 World Cup
- Won the World Cup in 2022
- Two Copa América wins in 2021 and 2024
- Won Finalissima in 2022
- Gold medalist at the 2008 Olympics
At the moment, Cristiano Ronaldo is still ahead of Messi in the records of top men’s international goal scorers with 146 goals. Then comes Iran’s Ali Daei (108), India’s Sunil Chhetri (95) and Romelu Lukaku of Belgium (93).
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