Six defining moments of Lionel Messi's Argentina career
A look back at some of the moments that defined Messi's career with his country. Leer más
Lionel Messi bid farewell to international football after leading Argentina to victory in the 2024 Copa América and the World Cup in the USA. His international career spanned over 200 appearances and two decades. Messi made his debut for Argentina in 2005, marking his first international cap with an unfortunate red card only 90 seconds into the match against Hungary.
He went on to play in four World Cup finals, scoring crucial goals in each tournament. After Argentina's final defeat in the World Cup in Qatar, Messi declared his retirement from international football. However, he was persuaded to return to the national team by Lionel Scaloni, Argentina's new coach in 2018. Under Scaloni's leadership, Messi helped Argentina win the Copa América in 2021.
In 2022, Messi led Argentina to victory in the World Cup, becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with seven goals. Messi then went on to win his third Copa América title in 2024, setting a record for the most World Cup titles won by any player.
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- Lionel Messi: Architect of Argentina’s greatest joys batimes.com.ar
- Lionel Messi se retira de Argentina: "Me vacié, ya no tengo más para dar" expansion.com
- Lionel Messi retires from Argentina national team sabcnews.com
- Lionel Messi announces retirement from Argentina national team: 'This is the right moment' thenationalnews.com
- Messi says goodbye to Argentina after glittering 21-year international career iol.co.za
- Lionel Messi says he's retiring from Argentina's national soccer team after nearly 2 decades cbsnews.com
