- Career conclusion: Lionel Messi ended his 21-year international career with Argentina following a 3-0 victory over Benin at the Estadio Monumental.
- Historic achievements: He finished as Argentina’s record goalscorer and most-capped player, having led the team to victories in the 2021 and 2024 Copa América tournaments and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
- Records and milestones: Messi set numerous tournament benchmarks, including a record 34 World Cup appearances and 207 total caps, despite notable setbacks such as missing multiple penalties in 2026.
Lionel Messi has brought his 21-year international career with Argentina to an end. He finished his journey with the national team after captaining the side against Benin in his final appearance.
The 39-year-old ended his career on a memorable note at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. He scored a penalty and helped his side secure a 3-0 victory over Benin in front of home supporters.
Major Achievements and Records
Messi’s final appearance marked the conclusion of a remarkable journey that began with his debut in 2005. He became the country’s record goalscorer, most-capped player, and captain, leading the team to major titles including the 2021 and 2024 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
During his time with the squad, he was directly involved in 185 goals across 207 appearances, scoring 125 goals and providing 60 assists. More than 110 of his international goals came from his dominant left foot. He also featured at six World Cup tournaments, a record no other player has matched.
What records did Lionel Messi set during his international career?
Messi holds the records for the most World Cup appearances with 34, most matches won with 23, most assists with 12, and most goals scored from outside the penalty area with six. He also scored 35 goals across major tournaments.
Setbacks and Unwanted Records
Despite his historic success, the forward faced notable struggles. He scored seven World Cup penalties and missed three. During the 2026 tournament, he became the first player in World Cup history to miss two penalties at a single edition, excluding shootouts.
His international career began with a red card as a substitute against Hungary on August 17, 2005, when he was sent off within a minute. He also briefly retired from international football after the 2016 Copa América final before reversing the decision.