Report: Messi closes the Argentina chapter after 21 years.. from red card to FIFA World Cup

Lionel Messi has ended his career with Argentina after a 21-year journey, which began with a red card in his first international appearance and concluded in tears following the loss in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain.

Between a difficult start and an impactful finish, the Argentine star has played 207 international matches and scored 125 goals, making him the most capped player and all-time top scorer for his country. He also led them to victory in the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, the FIFA World Cup in 2022, as well as winning the Finalissima in 2022.

Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 31, leaving the national team after giving Argentina the ending its fans had long awaited. This conclusion was not anticipated given the way his relationship with the national team began, which carried a significant amount of difficulty and pressure from its very first moments.

On August 17, 2005, an 18-year-old Messi made his debut for the Argentina national team against Hungary in Budapest, wearing the number 18 shirt, but he lasted less than a minute on the pitch after the referee showed him a red card following a clash with Filimos Vancsak while trying to evade him. Messi sat in the dressing room and cried, making that difficult start seem like a prelude to a career that would not be easy at all.

Messi has been under pressure to prove himself with Argentina, amid ongoing comparisons to Diego Maradona, as well as questions about why he has enjoyed such great success with FC Barcelona but has been unable to replicate those achievements with his national team. As the years have gone by, each new failure has added to the pressure on him, turning his international career into a constant struggle to win a major title with Argentina.

Lionel Messi lost with his national team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final against Germany, then in the 2015 Copa América final against Chile, before suffering defeat again to the same team in the 2016 Copa América Centenario final. After the last final loss and missing a penalty, Messi announced his retirement from international play for the first time at the age of twenty-nine, stating at the time that he had given everything he could and that it hurt him because he was unable to win the title.

However, the retirement decision did not last long, as fans demanded his return and he received appeals from prominent figures in Argentina, leading him to reverse his decision and return to the national team. Nevertheless, the suffering did not end quickly, as Argentina was eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2018 by France, and then faced another setback in the Copa América 2019, raising further questions about Messi's ability to lead his country to a major title.

The real turning point in his international career came during the Copa América 2021 final against Brazil, when Argentina won 1-0 at the Maracanã Stadium, claiming their first major title at senior level in 28 years, and Messi secured his first major tournament with his country. That title was not just an addition to his record; it ended many years of criticism and controversy regarding his relationship with the national team, after he had led Argentina to finals without being able to lift the trophy.

A year later, the picture was complete at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, where Messi led Argentina to the world title after defeating France on penalties in a historic final, scoring two goals during the match before lifting the trophy he had long awaited with his national team. He could have chosen to leave after reaching the pinnacle of glory, but he continued with Argentina and led them to win the Copa América again in 2024.

Lionel Messi returned to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026, in his sixth tournament at this level, despite a different physical condition compared to previous years. During the tournament, he managed to score eight goals and provide four assists, leading Argentina to the final once again, before losing to Spain 1-0 after the match extended into extra time, where Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the 106th minute. That match was Messi's last with the national team, and he left the pitch in tears before making his decision weeks later.

On August 31, Messi officially announced his retirement from international football, stating that the decision pains him but he understands the time has come. He mentioned that he gave everything for the Argentine shirt, pointing out that there are talented young players who deserve the opportunity. He also confirmed that he will continue to support the national team from abroad. He thanked his family, coaches, teammates, and officials who accompanied him throughout this journey, explaining that the decision to retire began to take shape after the FIFA World Cup final and became more convincing after the death of his father.

Thus, Messi's story with Argentina comes to an end, in a way that is completely different from how it began. The player who started his international career with a red card, suffered from final losses, faced criticism, and took a temporary retirement, ultimately became a crowned leader with the FIFA World Cup and one of the most prominent players in the history of the national team.