Lionel Messi has closed the Argentina chapter of his extraordinary career, leaving behind a journey that began with heartbreak and ended with almost every major international prize.
Born in Rosario on June 24, 1987, Messi joined Barcelona’s academy at 13. He made his senior debut at 16 and quickly became the centrepiece of one of football’s greatest teams.
Between 2004 and 2021, Messi won 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Reys, seven Spanish Super Cups, four Champions Leagues, three UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups with Barcelona.
He also produced numbers that still stand apart. Messi scored 91 goals in 2012, the most by a player in a calendar year, while his 50 La Liga goals in 2011-12 remain a single-season record.
Barcelona lost Messi in 2021 because financial restrictions prevented the club from renewing his contract. He joined Paris Saint-Germain, won two Ligue 1 titles and then moved to Inter Miami in 2023.
Messi immediately made history in the United States. He captained Miami to the Leagues Cup, the club’s first trophy, then helped them win the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and their first league championship in 2025.
Yet his most emotional achievements came with Argentina.
Messi won the 2005 World Youth Championship and Olympic gold in 2008. His senior career started awkwardly when Hungary sent him off less than a minute after his debut in 2005.
The disappointment continued at major tournaments. Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and two Copa America finals to Chile. After the 2016 Copa America defeat, Messi even announced his international retirement before returning months later.
His fortunes finally changed in 2021.
Messi led Argentina to the Copa America title, ending a 28-year wait for a major trophy. A year later, he added the Finalissima against Italy before producing the defining moment of his international career.
At the 2022 World Cup, Messi scored twice in the final as Argentina beat France on penalties after a 3-3 draw. He scored seven goals and supplied three assists, becoming the first player to win the World Cup Golden Ball twice.
He then reached 100 international goals in 2023 and helped Argentina retain the Copa America in 2024.
At the 2026 World Cup, Messi added five goals to reach 21 tournament goals, although Kylian Mbappe eventually surpassed his record. Messi also supplied eight goals and four assists as Argentina reached another final before Spain won 1-0 in extra time.
He became only the second player to feature in three World Cup finals and the oldest outfield player to appear in a global final.
Now, at 39, Messi has decided that his Argentina journey has run its course.
From Rosario’s streets to Barcelona’s greatest nights and Argentina’s long-awaited international triumphs, his career leaves behind a record book packed with trophies, goals and moments that shaped an era.
