Lionel Messi has completed an extraordinary international career with Argentina, leaving behind major trophies, goals and several World Cup records.
The Argentine captain ended his international career after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Argentina reached the final but lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time.
Despite the disappointing ending, Messi’s achievements with Argentina have placed him among the greatest players in international football.
Messi made 207 appearances for Argentina and scored 125 goals. He also provided 60 assists during his international career.
His biggest success came in 2021 when Argentina won the Copa América. The triumph ended the country’s long wait for a major senior international trophy.
A year later, the forward helped Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He scored twice in the final against France as Argentina lifted the trophy after a penalty shootout.
Argentina then retained the Copa América title in 2024. The victory gave Messi another major international trophy before his final World Cup campaign.
Messi also created several records at the World Cup.
He played in six editions of the tournament and made 34 appearances. That became a record for the most World Cup matches played by a player.
The Argentine star also holds records for World Cup wins and assists.
Another remarkable achievement came from his appearances in World Cup finals. Messi became the only player to start three World Cup finals, doing so in 2014, 2022 and 2026.
At 39 years and 25 days, he also became the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup final.
Messi scored 21 goals during his World Cup career.
The Argentina captain briefly moved to the top of the tournament’s all-time scoring list during the 2026 World Cup. France forward Kylian Mbappé later moved ahead with 22 goals.
Messi also recorded 11 international hat-tricks for Argentina. One of those hat-tricks came during the 2026 World Cup.
While Messi enjoyed remarkable success with Argentina, his international career also included some difficult moments.
Messi scored seven penalties at the World Cup but missed three.
During the 2026 tournament, he became the first player to miss two penalties in one World Cup edition, excluding penalty shootouts.
Messi’s senior international debut in 2005 ended in disappointment.
The young forward came on as a substitute against Hungary. However, he received a red card within a minute after the referee judged that he had elbowed defender Vilmos Vanczák.
Another difficult moment came after the 2016 Copa América final.
Argentina lost to Chile on penalties, and Messi announced his retirement from international football shortly afterwards.
He later reversed that decision and returned to the national team. That comeback eventually led to some of the greatest achievements of his career.
Messi’s final tournament with Argentina ended without another World Cup title.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the 2026 World Cup final. The result ended Messi’s hopes of finishing his international career with another world title.
Messi’s international journey began with a red card and ended with a defeat in a World Cup final.
Between those two moments, however, he experienced both heartbreak and historic success.
Argentina lost three consecutive major finals between 2014 and 2016. Messi eventually helped the country end that difficult period by winning the 2021 Copa América.
The 2022 World Cup victory became the defining achievement of his international career. Another Copa América title followed in 2024.
With 125 goals, 207 appearances, three major senior international trophies and numerous World Cup records, Messi leaves behind an extraordinary legacy with Argentina.
His career also shows how persistence can turn years of disappointment into historic success.
