The Last Dance: Messi Closes the Curtain on Argentina Career After 21 Year of Glory
By Abubakar Mohammed Jibo
From teenage prodigy to World Cup champion, Lionel Messi leaves the Albiceleste as a legend whose name is forever etched in Argentine football history
BUENOS AIRES — The end of an era has arrived.
Lionel Messi, Argentina’s iconic No. 10 and captain, has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 39, bringing down the curtain on a remarkable 21-year journey with the national team. Messi made his senior debut against Hungary on August 17, 2005, and after more than two decades of extraordinary service, he has decided that the time has come to say goodbye.
His final chapter was played on football’s biggest stage. Messi led Argentina to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where they finished runners-up to Spain. But despite the disappointment, his legacy had already been secured. He departs having captained Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, their first world title in 36 years, while also winning two Copa América crowns and the 2022 Finalissima.
FROM HEARTBREAK TO IMMORTALITY
Messi’s international story was never an easy one.
For years, he carried the weight of an entire nation on his shoulders. He suffered heartbreaking defeats in the 2007 Copa América final, 2014 World Cup final, and 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals. In 2016, following another painful defeat, he even announced his retirement before returning to lead Argentina once again.
Then came redemption.
In 2021, Messi finally lifted his first major senior trophy with Argentina, defeating Brazil at the Maracanã to win the Copa América. One year later came the Finalissima, where Argentina defeated Italy at Wembley.
And then, in Qatar, came the moment that completed the story.
On December 18, 2022, Messi captained Argentina to a breathtaking victory over France in one of the greatest World Cup finals ever played. He scored twice, converted his penalty in the shootout and lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy, finally achieving the prize that had eluded him for so long.
Three years later, he added another major international crown when Argentina won the 2024 Copa América, defeating Colombia in the final.
MESSI’S SIX INTERNATIONAL TITLES WITH ARGENTINA
🏆 FIFA U-20 World Cup — 2005
🏆 Olympic Gold Medal — Beijing 2008
🏆 Copa América — 2021
🏆 Finalissima — 2022
🏆 FIFA World Cup — Qatar 2022
🏆 Copa América — 2024
These six titles represent the complete arc of Messi’s international career—from the young prodigy who announced himself to the world in 2005 to the captain who finally delivered football’s greatest prize to Argentina.
A LEGACY THAT WILL NEVER FADE
Messi leaves Argentina not simply as one of its greatest footballers, but as its record goalscorer, record appearance holder and undisputed symbol of an extraordinary generation. He played in six World Cups and reached the final twice, winning one and finishing runner-up in the other.
His journey was filled with tears, criticism, disappointment, redemption and ultimately glory.
He arrived as a teenager carrying enormous expectations.
He endured the defeats.
He contemplated walking away.
He returned.
He conquered South America.
He conquered the world.
And now, after giving Argentina everything he had, Lionel Messi walks away from international football.
The No. 10 shirt will one day belong to another player.
Another generation will rise.
Another captain will lead Argentina.
But there will only ever be one Messi.
The boy from Rosario came chasing a dream. He leaves Argentina having turned that dream into history.
