Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football. He made the announcement on his Instagram account, saying the decision hurt deeply but he understands the time has come. He said he always gave his all for the Argentina jersey.
The 39-year-old played in a record-tying six World Cups. He won the tournament in 2022 in Qatar. He also led Argentina to the final, where they lost to Spain in extra time. He played all eight matches and scored eight goals.
He wrote his retirement letter on July 21, two days after the World Cup final. He waited to publish it because his father was facing health issues. Jorge Messi died on August 8 in Rosario.
He will continue to play for Inter Miami. He already scored four goals in a 7-1 win over CF Montreal. He made his Argentina debut in 2006. His journey was filled with frustration until he finally lifted the World Cup in 2022.
He thanked fans for their love over the past 20 years. He said he will miss hearing them from inside the stadium. He said he will now cheer and support Argentina from the outside. He did not say how long he intends to continue playing at the club level.
He said he leaves with peace of mind and pride. He said he and his teammates achieved moments they once only dreamed of. He also retired from the national team a decade ago after a Copa America final defeat, but he came back to win the World Cup and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni called him pure history and a legend.
Top 5 International Moments of Lionel Messi
1. Lifting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
This is the moment that transcends all others for Lionel Messi. He finally led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar after nearly two decades. The final against France is widely considered one of the greatest matches in World Cup history. Argentina took a 2-0 lead through a Messi penalty only for Kylian Mbappe to score two goals in 100 seconds to force extra time. Messi then scored again to put Argentina ahead but Mbappe completed his hat trick to send the game to a penalty shootout. Messi calmly converted his spot kick in the shootout and Argentina won 4-2.
2. Breaking the Drought at the 2021 Copa América
Three major final defeats in the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 and 2016 Copa Americas had left a deep scar on his legacy. After the 2016 defeat a devastated Lionel Messi even temporarily retired from international football. The 2021 Copa América final against Brazil at the iconic Maracanã Stadium was the moment everything changed. A solitary goal from his longtime teammate Ángel Di María secured a 1-0 victory. At 34 years old, Messi had finally won his first major senior international trophy. He finished the tournament with four goals and five assists and won the Golden Ball as the best player.
3. The Golden Ball and World Cup Final Heartbreak in 2014
The 2014 World Cup in Brazil was supposed to be Lionel Messi’s coronation. He was magnificent throughout the tournament and dragged a less fancied Argentina side to their first World Cup final in 24 years. He scored four crucial goals in the group stage and single-handedly won matches for his country. For his efforts, he was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. However, the final was a bridge too far. Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany in extra time.
4. Becoming Argentina’s All-Time Top Scorer in 2016
In November 2016, Lionel Messi also became Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer. The record was previously held by the legendary Gabriel Batistuta with 56 goals. Messi achieved the feat in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia. He scored his 57th and 58th international goals in a 3-0 victory. This moment came just months after his temporary retirement from the national team.
5. The World Cup Debut That Announced a Star in 2006
The world got its first real glimpse of Lionel Messi’s genius at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. At just 18 years old, he came off the bench in Argentina’s group stage match against Serbia and Montenegro. It did not take him long to make an impact. He provided an assist for Hernán Crespo and then scored Argentina’s sixth goal in a 6-0 victory. In doing so, he became the youngest Argentine to score at a World Cup. His performance offered a tantalizing preview of the genius that was yet to come. This was the moment the world realized he was the future of Argentine football. He was a teenager who already looked like a seasoned professional.
FAQs
Q. How many World Cups did Lionel Messi play in?
A. Messi played in a record-tying six World Cups.
Q. When did Messi win his first World Cup?
A. Messi won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.
Q. When did Messi win his first major international trophy?
A. Messi won the 2021 Copa América with Argentina.
Q. When did Messi make his World Cup debut?
A. Messi made his World Cup debut in 2006.
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