Lionel Messi is stepping away from international football, wrapping up one of the greatest careers the game has ever seen on that massive stage. The man, a literal legend at 39 years old, finally hit his destiny four years ago when he led Argentina to World Cup glory, but seriously, that was just one chapter in an absolutely wild, extraordinary journey.
The Ultimate Prize: Finally Bringing It Home
Look, it wasn’t always smooth sailing, right? Messi’s impact with Argentina felt like a slow-burner compared to his Barcelona days, where he just exploded onto the scene. He had all this pressure, the Maradona comparisons, and being based in Spain since he was 13 probably didn’t help him connect instantly with his home country’s fans. We even saw him retire from international play in 2016, but he came back, determined to leave a legacy worthy of his multiple Ballon d’Or wins. And boy, did he ever.
He finally snagged his first major senior international trophy at the 2021 Copa America. That run was pure fire, with Messi scoring four goals, including the one that saw Argentina take down Brazil in the final. That win, man, it wiped away all the frustration from those near misses in 2007, 2015, and 2016. But there was still one more giant hurdle. He absolutely leaped over it in Qatar, bagging seven goals as Argentina clawed back from an opening defeat to Saudi Arabia to end a 36-year wait for World Cup success. Two of those goals? They came in a crazy 3-3 final against France, which Argentina sealed on penalties. Messi even did his part from the spot. What a moment.
A Legacy Built on Unbelievable Numbers and Unmatched Longevity
You wanna talk stats? Messi leaves with a record 126 goals for Argentina in 206 appearances over 21 years. Think about that for a second: 21 years! He played in six World Cup tournaments, reaching the final three times, with two runners-up finishes before that Qatar triumph.
And even this season, the fairytale just kept going. He was still out there, dragging Argentina to within a single win of a fourth world title. He basically strolled around the pitch, yeah, not the hustling machine he once was, but the touch? Still there. Still magic. He stood out again in this most recent run to the final, scoring another eight goals, bumping his overall World Cup finals tally to a staggering 21. Spain ended the dream this time, but even in defeat, Messi lit up the entire football world one last time. It was fitting, absolutely perfect, that his final appearance, a 3-0 win against Benin in Buenos Aires, saw him score a farewell goal and dish out two assists.
What a career. What a legend. It’s the end of an era, and while we might debate who’s the greatest of all time, there’s no doubt Messi belongs right there, at the very top.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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