Archive · 7 Oct 2026
From Early Red Card to Emotional Farewell: Messi's Argentina Journey
Lionel Messi started playing for Argentina in 2005.
His first game ended quickly when he was sent off after 47 seconds.
Argentina later lost several important finals, and Messi briefly said he would stop playing for the national team.
He changed his mind and continued.
Argentina then won major tournaments, including the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup.
Messi also helped Argentina win the 2024 Copa America.
The article says he scored and assisted in a farewell match against Benin in Buenos Aires.
It also says his final World Cup appearance was in 2026, so it describes both a farewell match and a later World Cup.
Lionel Messi was sent off 47 seconds into his Argentina debut against Hungary in 2005.
He reached the 2014 World Cup final, but Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany; Argentina also lost the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals.
Messi briefly retired from international football after the losses to Chile, then reversed his decision two months later.
Argentina won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima and World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America with Messi as a central figure.
The article describes a farewell against Benin at Buenos Aires' Estadio Monumental, while also saying Messi's final World Cup appearance was in 2026.
- Who
- Lionel Messi and Argentina's national team.
- What
- The article recounts Messi's international career, from his debut and early setbacks to Argentina's tournament victories and his reported farewell.
- When
- His senior debut was on 17 August 2005; the article describes events through 2026.
- Where
- His debut was in Budapest, Hungary; the reported farewell was at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
- Why
- The article contrasts the difficult beginning of Messi's international career with its later successes and farewell.
- Senior Argentina debut
- 17 August 2005, against Hungary in Budapest
- Debut sending-off
- Messi was sent off after 47 seconds on the pitch
- First senior major final
- The 2014 FIFA World Cup final, lost 1-0 to Germany
- First major senior international trophy
- 2021 Copa America
- 2022 World Cup final
- Argentina beat France on penalties after a 3-3 draw; Messi scored twice
- Reported farewell match
- Against Benin at Buenos Aires' Estadio Monumental, before more than 85,000 supporters
- Final World Cup appearance
- The article identifies it as 2026; Argentina lost the final 1-0 to Spain after extra time