A Career Like No Other: Lionel Messi’s Greatest Argentina Moments In Pictures
Lionel Messi has retired from international football at 39, ending a remarkable 21-year Argentina career with a record 207 appearances and 125 goals. The decision came after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, denying Messi a second world title in his final tournament. Messi, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima, said he felt the time had come to step aside and make room for a younger generation. His retirement is limited to Argentina for now. Messi remains an Inter Miami player, with his contract running through the 2028 MLS season. He also scored four goals and provided an assist in Miami’s 7-1 win over Montreal immediately before announcing his international retirement, showing that his club career is still going strong.
US President Donald J. Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino greet Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) after Argentina's loss in the World Cup final soccer match to Spain in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, July 19, 2026. | Photo: AP/Julio Cortez, File
Argentina's Lionel Messi cries at the end of the World Cup final soccer match with Spain in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, July 19, 2026. | Photo: AP/Stephanie Scarbrough, File
A sculpture of soccer star Lionel Messi by artist Aldo Beroisa, that was unveiled for Argentina's opening World Cup match against Algeria, stands in Cutral Co, Argentina, at sunrise, June 21, 2026. | Photo: AP/Nestor Ponce, File
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) checks his runners-up medal after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, July 19, 2026. | Photo: AP/Matt Rourke, File
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) dribbles between England's Anthony Gordon (18) and Harry Kane (9) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match in Atlanta, July 15, 2026. | Photo: AP/Lynne Sladky, File
Argentina players toss teammate Lionel Messi (10) into the air as they celebrate after the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, July 7, 2026. | Photo: AP/Jacob Kupferman, File
People sing happy birthday to Lionel Messi at a street mural of him in Buenos Aires, Argentina, June 24, 2026. | Photo: AP/Rodrigo Abd, File
Argentina's Lionel Messi lifts the trophy after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner, File
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy in front of fans after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner, File
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match against the Netherlands in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 10, 2022. | Photo: AP/Ricardo Mazalan, File
The face of Argentina's Lionel Messi is projected on the capital's Obelisk as fans celebrate their team's World Cup victory over France in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dec. 18, 2022. | Photo: AP/Rodrigo Abd, File
A mural of soccer player Lionel Messi blankets the facade of an apartment building in Rosario, Argentina, Aug. 19, 2022. | Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko, File
Argentina's Lionel Messi walks along the pitch at the end of the group D match against Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, June 21, 2018. Croatia defeated Argentina 3-0. | Photo: AP/Ricardo Mazalan, File
Argentina's Lionel Messi trains in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 21, 2016. | Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko, File
Argentina's Lionel Messi scores his team's second goal during the group F World Cup soccer match against Bosnia in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 15, 2014. | Photo: AP/Sergei Grits, File
Argentina's Angel Di Maria, top, celebrates with Argentina's Lionel Messi after scoring against Ecuador during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer game in Buenos Aires, June 2, 2012. | Photo: AP/Ivan Fernandez, File
Argentina head coach Diego Maradona, right, looks at Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, as he controls the ball during the World Cup group B soccer match against Nigeria in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, June 12, 2010. | Photo: AP/Ricardo Mazalan, File
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