Messi retires from the Argentine national team after 21 years

Lionel Messi retires from seleção argentina and closes one of the most striking trajectories in the history of world football. At 39, the 10th shirt played on Tuesday (6) his last match for Albiceleste, at the Monumental Stadium of Núñez, in Buenos Aires. And the farewell had a leading role: Messi scored a goal and gave two assists in the 3–0 victory over Benin.

The evening was prepared as a great tribute to the greatest gunner in the history of the seleção argentina. More than 85,000 fans followed the farewell at the Monumental, in a ceremony marked by tears, applause, tributes and a drone show after the final whistle.

I'm going to be in awe of the

The excitement began even before the ball rolled. Messi cried on arrival at the stadium and was once again moved during the performance of the Argentine anthem. In the 10th minute, the match was marked by a special tribute from the stands to the player who carried the most symbolic number of the national team for so many years.

After the match, the craque spoke to the fans and admitted the difficulty of leaving the national team. “It was a pride to be here even in the worst moments.”

Messi also stated that he would like to remain forever wearing the Argentine shirt, but acknowledged that the time had come to end the cycle. Before the game, he had already published a message saying that he left the national team "in peace" after having given everything for the country shirt.

From collections to world title

The relationship between Messi and the seleção argentina has gone through different times since its debut for the main team in August 2005. For years, the attacker has lived with charges for not being able to repeat for the selection the titles won by Barcelona.

The most delicate moment happened in 2016. After losing the final of the Copa América Centenary, Messi even announced that he would leave the national team. The decision, however, was reversed, and the 10th shirt returned to later start the most victorious period of its international trajectory.

The definitive turn took place with the conquest of the 2021 Copa América, in front of Brazil, at the Maracanã. A year later, Messi also lifted the 2022 Final and achieved his biggest career goal: the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar.

In 2024, the attacker again won the Copa América.

Last World Cup ended with vice

The 2026 World Cup was the last one played by Lionel Messi. Argentina reached the decision again, but ended up defeated by Spain 1-0. Messi finished the World Cup with eight goals and four assists. A few days after the final, he announced that he would end his stint with the national team.

Even without achieving the consecutive bicampeonato mundial, the campaign reinforced the longevity of the 10 shirt, which played six World Cup editions.

208 games and 126 goals

Messi ends his international career as the record-breaking player and the greatest scorer in the history of seleção argentina. With the performance against Benin, he reached 208 games and 126 goals for the main team.

Among the main titles won are:

World Cup: 2022

Copa América: 2021 and 2024

Final: 2022

Olympic gold: 2008

2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Retirement, for now, is only from seleção argentina. Messi continues to perform professionally for Inter Miami, of Estados Unidos, with a bond until 2028.

After more than two decades, Argentina’s 10th shirt will be left without its main modern-era owner. Messi leaves the national team as a world champion, record-breaker and central figure to a generation that has turned years of frustration into one of the most victorious periods in Argentine football history.