Lionel Messi: Architect of Argentina’s greatest joys

Left-footed, blessed with incomparable talent and, over the years, transformed into an undisputed leader, Lionel Messi is retiring from Argentina's national team as captain and the protagonist of some of the greatest joys in the history of the Albiceleste.

Aged 39, the legendary number 10 brought to an end on Monday a 21-year relationship with the national team marked by painful defeats, a retirement, a triumphant return, a long-awaited crowning achievement and an eternal love affair.

"There's little time left and chapters are closing, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, loved and will always love being in the national team. I gave everything I had, I have nothing left to give and, besides, there are some great young players coming through who deserve to be there," the star wrote on Instagram in a post.

The final episode came during the 2026 World Cup final on July 19, when a 1-0 defeat by Spain left him on the brink of celebrating a second World Cup, four years after the happiest moment of his career: lifting the trophy in Qatar at the 2022 edition of the tournament.

Messi leaves Argentina an immeasurable legacy, with statistics that appear almost impossible to surpass. He has long been the player with the most appearances for the Albiceleste, now retiring on 207 caps.

He also holds the record for most goals, with 125, as well as the record for assists, with 68, and the most World Cup appearances, with 34.

At this stage, Messi can look back with different eyes on his inauspicious international debut in 2005, when coach José Pekerman brought him on in a friendly against Hungary.

The left-footer lasted less than a minute on the pitch before being sent off by the German referee after striking an opponent in the face.

History books

Born in Rosario, around 300 kilometres north-west of Buenos Aires, Messi moved to Miami in 2023 with Antonela Roccuzzo, his lifelong partner, and their three children to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

He is under contract with the Florida club until 2028. Playing in a less demanding league allowed him to conserve his strength and energy to give his all for his country after conquering Europe with Barcelona from 2004 to 2021.

His legacy is defined by an unwavering commitment to Argentina, a choice he made as a child and maintained even after settling in Barcelona. He could have played for Spain but chose instead to wait for the call from the country where he was born.

After more than two decades in the light-blue and white shirt, Messi produced countless unforgettable performances, from his hat-tricks against Brazil in 2012 and Ecuador in the qualifying campaign for Russia 2018, to the 2022 World Cup final against France, when he scored twice and led Argentina to their third world title.

His honours with Argentina include that World Cup, the Albiceleste's first global title in 36 years since Diego Maradona's triumph in Mexico in 1986, as well as the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, Olympic gold at Beijing 2008 and the 2022 Finalissima.

The 2021 Copa América – Argentina's first senior international title in almost three decades – came against Brazil at the Maracanã itself.

But the numbers pale beside the displays of talent he produced during the final stretch of his astonishing career, when he could afford to spend long periods walking across the pitch and still prove decisive.

Turning point

One image to remember? Messi dribbling past four English players in the 2026 World Cup semi-final, including Harry Kane, before being brought down.

"What more does he have to do to be considered the greatest of all time?" Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni asked after the game.

Messi's love affair with the World Cup, however, began with heartbreak: early eliminations in 2006, 2010 and 2018, and the final defeat to Germany at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The two Copa América final defeats to Chile also hurt, particularly the 2016 loss, when he bitterly announced a retirement that proved temporary, to the relief of football fans everywhere: "That's it – it's over for me with the national team."

He returned two months later to try to win over a country that, intoxicated by memories of Maradona, had for years regarded him as distant and criticised him relentlessly.

From then on, he was transformed. He went from being a decisive but quiet figure to taking on the captain's armband and leadership of an Albiceleste side that rallied around him and made it clear that he was their star.

Scaloni gave the star what others had not: a group of soldiers willing to die for their general. A general who at the last World Cup showed his vulnerability, with tears and smiles, suffing from the health problems suffered by his father, Jorge, his representative and long-time pillar of support, who died three weeks ago.