Why in News?
Argentina football legend Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on 31 August 2026, bringing an end to his remarkable 21-year career with Argentina.
Messi had written the retirement statement on 21 July 2026, two days after Argentina lost the FIFA World Cup 2026 final to Spain in New York.
Key Highlights
- Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005 and represented the national team for more than two decades.
- He finished his international career with 207 appearances and 125 goals, making him Argentina's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer.
- He played in six FIFA World Cups and featured in three World Cup finals (2014, 2022 and 2026).
- Messi led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar, ending the country's 36-year wait for the trophy.
- He also helped Argentina win the Copa América in 2021 and 2024.
- He is the only player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball twice, in 2014 and 2022.
- He is also the highest-scoring male player in South American international football.
From Disappointment to Glory
- Messi's international journey was not always filled with success. Despite his individual brilliance, Argentina lost three consecutive major finals between 2014 and 2016, leading to intense criticism of the star.
- After Argentina lost the 2016 Copa América Centenario final, Messi briefly announced his international retirement. However, he returned to the national team and went on to achieve the biggest successes of his career.
- His return eventually produced a historic run: Copa América 2021, FIFA World Cup 2022 and Copa América 2024.