Lionel Messi’s 21 years with Argentina in numbers

Lionel Messi concluded his illustrious 21-year career with Argentina in a memorable 3-0 victory over Benin on Tuesday. Throughout his tenure with the Albiceleste, the legendary footballer made a total of 126 appearances, a national record surpassing even Gabriel Batistuta's 78-goal haul for Argentina.

Messi's time with the national team culminated in World Cup glory in 2022, where he led Argentina to victory. This crowning achievement is the only World Cup title among the six tournaments he participated in, alongside his appearances in the 2010 and 2014 editions. In these five World Cups, Messi scored an impressive 21 goals, placing him second only to France's Kylian Mbappe, who netted 22 goals across three tournaments.

With his final appearance, Messi announced his retirement from international soccer, ending a chapter that began on August 31, 2005, at the tender age of 19. At 39, Messi bid farewell to the national team, a testament to his enduring impact on Argentine football. His 126 international goals cement his status as the second-highest scorer in Argentina's history, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo's 146 goals.

Messi's international career remains a benchmark in men's football. He ranks second in both the all-time appearances list (126) and the goal-scoring list (21 goals), trailing Cristiano Ronaldo by a narrow margin.