Lionel Messi’s 10 defining moments with Argentina as international career ends

Lionel Messi has ended a 21-year international career after making his final appearance for Argentina in Buenos Aires, where an emotional farewell included tears from his team-mates and a huge tribute from supporters. The number 10 signed off with a 3-0 victory over Benin, billed as his “last dance”, and left the field to a standing ovation.

From early promise and painful defeats to Olympic gold, Copa America success and World Cup glory, Messi experienced every major emotion with the Albeceleste. These are 10 of the defining moments of his Argentina career, according to a report by The Sun.

1. A World Cup debut to remember

Messi made his World Cup debut against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006. Introduced in the 74th minute, he created a goal for Hernan Crespo before scoring Argentina’s sixth in a 6-0 win. At 18 years and 358 days, he became Argentina’s youngest World Cup scorer as his side reached the last 16.

2. Olympic gold in Beijing

Barcelona initially tried to prevent Messi from travelling to the 2008 Olympics, but intervention from his new manager Pep Guardiola allowed him to join Argentina’s Olympic squad. Alongside Sergio Aguero, Juan Roman Riquelme and Angel Di Maria, Messi set up Di Maria’s winning goal in the final against Nigeria as Argentina claimed gold.

3. The Golden Ball in 2014

Argentina needed inspiration against Iran at the 2014 World Cup and found it in stoppage time. With the game heading for a goalless draw, Messi cut inside in the 91st minute and curled a superb effort from outside the area into the net.

He scored four goals and was named player of the match in four successive games as Argentina reached their first World Cup final in 24 years. Germany won the final, but Messi received the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

4. Breaking Gabriel Batistuta’s record

Gabriel Batistuta’s Argentina record of 56 goals had stood for 14 years before Messi surpassed it against the United States in the Copa America. His memorable free-kick found the top corner beyond goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Since 2016, Messi has added 71 goals to take his total to 127, leaving Batistuta second.

5. Rescue act in World Cup qualifying

Argentina risked missing the 2018 World Cup for the first time in 47 years. Victory in Quito against Ecuador would secure qualification, but the hosts scored after only 30 seconds. Messi responded with a hat-trick to overturn the match and send Argentina to Russia.

6. Ending the Brazil hoodoo

Brazil had won four and drawn two of the previous six meetings with Argentina since Messi’s debut. That run ended in the 2021 Copa America final at the Maracana, where Di Maria scored the only goal.

The triumph was Messi’s first major international title with the senior team and ended years of criticism over his failure to win a major trophy for Argentina.

7. The Netherlands quarter-final

Against the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final, Messi produced a remarkable assist for Nahuel Molina with a no-look pass after cutting through the Dutch defence. After the Netherlands equalised late, Argentina won 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra time.

Messi also celebrated in front of Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal with the “Topo Gigio” gesture. Afterwards, he told Dutch forward Wout Weghorst: “What are you looking at, fool?”

8. Turning the 2022 World Cup around

After a shock defeat by Saudi Arabia, Argentina needed to beat Mexico. The match remained goalless until the 64th minute, when Messi controlled Di Maria’s pass and fired a low shot from outside the box into the net.

Against Croatia in the semi-final, he beat Josko Gvardiol on the touchline before setting up Julian Alvarez for the third goal.

9. The final against France

Messi scored twice in the 2022 final, while Kylian Mbappe scored three for France in one of the World Cup’s most dramatic finishes. Both converted their penalties before Argentina won the shootout, with Emiliano Martinez making the difference.

After four previous disappointments in major tournaments, Messi finally lifted the World Cup and matched Diego Maradona’s standing in Argentina’s football history.

10. A final triumph over England

At the 2026 World Cup, Messi helped Argentina beat England in another famous rivalry. England led through Anthony Gordon, but the 39-year-old created two goals: Enzo Fernandez equalised five minutes from time before a right-footed pass set up Lautaro Martinez’s headed winner.

The assists took Messi’s World Cup total to 12 and helped Argentina reach a second successive final. Spain won that match, but the victory over England in Messi’s penultimate international appearance added another unforgettable chapter to his legacy.