Buenos aires: For Lionel Messi, the Argentina story was never straightforward. There were spectacular goals, crushing defeats, tears, a brief international retirement and, eventually, the moment he had spent much of his career chasing. After announcing his retirement from international football on Monday, August 31, 2026, Messi leaves behind more than 200 appearances for Argentina and a collection of memories that will define his legacy with the national team.
According to Ghana Web, here are five of the moments that stand out. First, Messi's teenage arrival in 2006 marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey. At just 18, he scored his inaugural goal for Argentina in a friendly against Croatia, offering an early glimpse of the prodigious talent that would soon become synonymous with Argentine football.
The pain of Brazil in 2014 was another pivotal moment. During the World Cup that year, Messi led Argentina to the final and was named the tournament's best player. However, Germany's Mario Gotze shattered Argentina's dreams with an extra-time goal, handing Messi one of the most agonizing nights of his career.
In 2016, Messi faced another emotional low after Argentina's defeat to Chile in the Copa Am©rica Centenario final. Overwhelmed by disappointment after missing his penalty in the shootout, Messi announced his retirement from international football, a decision that neither Argentina nor Messi himself could accept for long.
Redemption came in 2021 at the Maracan, the same venue where his World Cup dreams had been dashed years earlier.ngel Di Mara's decisive goal secured a 1-0 victory over Brazil in the Copa Am©rica final, earning Messi his first major senior international trophy. The celebration was an emotional moment, shared with teammates who had been part of his tumultuous journey.
Finally, the World Cup triumph in Qatar in 2022 was the crowning achievement of Messi's international career. In a thrilling final against France, Messi scored twice in a 3-3 draw and successfully converted his penalty in the ensuing shootout. With Argentina's victory, Messi lifted the World Cup trophy, fulfilling the greatest unfinished chapter of his career.