Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, marking the end of an illustrious era with Argentina that began over two decades ago. The 39-year-old shared this decision on Monday following the death of his father, Jorge.
Messi, Argentina's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 appearances, made the emotional announcement on Instagram. Reflecting on his career, he stated, "Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply."
Throughout his career, Messi has set many records, amassing 921 goals across clubs such as Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, and Inter Miami, alongside the national team. His rapid rise to fame began at age 19 with a hat-trick in the El Clasico against Real Madrid in March 2007.
A month later, in April 2007, Messi scored a memorable goal in a Copa del Rey semi-final against Getafe. The goal drew comparisons to Diego Maradona's famous 1986 World Cup strike, as Messi dribbled past five defenders before scoring, a moment enshrined in football history.
Messi's excellence was evident in the 2009 Champions League final against Manchester United, where his decisive header silenced critics who doubted his effectiveness against English teams. He continued to impress in later finals, ultimately winning four Champions League titles.
In 2010, Messi delivered a standout performance against Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final, scoring four times, including a remarkable chip over the goalkeeper. His scoring prowess continued with five goals against Bayer Leverkusen in 2012.
March 2012 saw Messi surpass Barcelona's all-time scoring record, overtaking Cesar Rodriguez's long-standing mark with a hat-trick against Granada. By the time he departed Barcelona in 2021, he had tallied 672 goals for the club.
In the same year, Messi set a new milestone by scoring 91 goals in a calendar year, earning a place in the Guinness Book of Records. This extraordinary feat included 79 goals for Barcelona and 12 for Argentina, culminating in his fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or.
November 2014 was another landmark, as Messi broke the La Liga scoring record, surpassing Telmo Zarra's 251-goal record with a hat-trick against Sevilla. He concluded his La Liga career with 474 goals.
April 2017 brought another achievement, as Messi scored his 500th goal for Barcelona in an El Clasico match against Real Madrid, a last-minute winner that propelled his team to the top of the league.
Messi's exit from Barcelona in August 2021 signified the end of an era. Financial constraints prevented the club from renewing his contract, leading to an emotional farewell as he moved to Paris St-Germain.
Internationally, Messi secured his first major victory with Argentina in July 2021, winning the Copa America against Brazil. He was named player of the tournament, quieting critics of his international contributions.
Messi's ultimate achievement came at the 2022 World Cup, where he led Argentina to victory over France in a thrilling final. He was again named player of the tournament, scoring seven goals, including two in the final.
Even after stepping back from international play, Messi's legacy is solidified with a record eight Ballon d'Or awards.
