Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Messi Ends Argentina Career With Record-Breaking International Numbers
Lionel Messi has finished playing international football for Argentina.
He played for the team for 21 years.
He appeared in 207 games and scored 125 goals.
He also made 60 assists, helping teammates score.
Messi won three major trophies with Argentina, including the 2022 World Cup.
He played in six World Cups and scored 21 goals in them.
He set records for World Cup appearances, wins and assists.
Cristiano Ronaldo still has more men’s international goals and appearances.
One article says Messi’s six World Cups tied Ronaldo’s total, while another says Ronaldo holds additional international records.
Lionel Messi retired from international football at age 39 after 21 years with Argentina.
He finished with a national-record 207 appearances, 125 goals and 60 assists for Argentina.
Messi won three major titles: the 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa América.
He played in six World Cups, scoring 21 goals and setting records for 34 appearances and 23 wins.
Messi recorded 12 World Cup assists, seven penalties scored, three penalties missed and 11 international hat tricks.
- Who
- Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team, with comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé and Gabriel Batistuta.
- What
- Messi’s international career ended with 207 appearances, 125 goals, 60 assists, three major titles and numerous World Cup records.
- When
- Messi debuted on August 17, 2005, and announced his international retirement at age 39 in 2026, according to the articles.
- Where
- For Argentina in international football, including World Cups in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026.
- Why
- The articles review Messi’s statistics, achievements and records after the end of his Argentina career.
Article Accounts
Reported Qualification
Messi and Ronaldo’s World Cup totals
Article Accounts
The articles say Messi played in six World Cups, tying Cristiano Ronaldo for the most in men’s football.
Reported Qualification
The News18 article’s quick answers also says Ronaldo has played in six World Cups and holds other international records, including scoring in six different World Cup editions.
Messi’s international standing
Article Accounts
Messi is presented as Argentina’s record holder for appearances and goals, with three major titles and numerous World Cup records.
Reported Qualification
The articles note that Cristiano Ronaldo remains ahead of Messi in men’s international goals, with 146 to Messi’s 125, and appearances, with 233 to Messi’s 207.
- Argentina appearances
- 207, a national record
- Argentina goals
- 125; Cristiano Ronaldo is listed first among men’s international scorers with 146
- Total goal involvements
- 185, comprising 125 goals and 60 assists
- Major titles
- Three: the 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa América
- World Cup record
- 34 appearances and 23 matches won, both described as men’s tournament records
- World Cup goals and assists
- 21 goals and 12 assists across six tournaments
- World Cup penalties
- Seven scored and three missed, both described as tournament records
- International hat tricks
- 11, with the final one coming in Argentina’s opening match of the 2026 World Cup
