Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Lionel Messi’s Argentina Career Ends After Heartbreak and Glory
Lionel Messi played for Argentina for more than 20 years.
His first game was difficult because he was sent off soon after entering.
He later scored in Argentina’s 2006 World Cup victory over Serbia and Montenegro.
Argentina lost several important finals, including the 2014 World Cup final and the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals.
After the 2016 loss, Messi briefly said he would stop playing for Argentina.
He returned six weeks later.
Argentina then won the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup, with Messi playing a major role.
He also captained Argentina to the 2024 Copa America title.
The articles say his career ended after Argentina lost another World Cup final to Spain.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina career began with a 2005 sending-off against Hungary after roughly 90 seconds on the field.
He helped Argentina reach the 2014 World Cup final but lost to Germany, following earlier tournament and Copa America disappointments.
Messi briefly retired after Argentina’s 2016 Copa America final defeat to Chile, then returned six weeks later.
Under Lionel Scaloni, Argentina won the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup, with Messi scoring seven goals in Qatar.
Messi later captained Argentina to the 2024 Copa America final victory before the articles say Spain defeated Argentina in a later World Cup final.
- Who
- Lionel Messi, Argentina’s national football team and coach Lionel Scaloni are the central figures.
- What
- A retrospective of Messi’s international career, covering his early setbacks, lost finals, major titles and reported retirement.
- When
- From his 2005 debut through the 2021 and 2022 titles, the 2024 Copa America and the later World Cup described in the articles.
- Where
- The events took place across tournaments in Hungary, Germany, Brazil, the United States, Qatar and elsewhere.
- Why
- The articles review the defining moments of Messi’s Argentina career as it comes to an end.
- International debut
- Messi debuted for Argentina in 2005 against Hungary at age 18 and was sent off about 90 seconds after entering.
- First World Cup goal
- He scored Argentina’s final goal in a 6-0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
- Major setbacks
- Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals to Chile.
- Brief retirement
- Messi announced he was leaving international football after the 2016 Copa America defeat but returned six weeks later.
- First senior international title
- Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 in the 2021 Copa America final, with Ángel Di María scoring.
- World Cup triumph
- At the 2022 World Cup, Messi scored seven goals, provided three assists and helped Argentina defeat France on penalties.
- Career totals
- The articles credit Messi with 207 Argentina appearances, 125 goals, 34 World Cup appearances and 21 World Cup goals.
