Lionel Messi’s national-team story included an early sending-off, painful final defeats and a brief retirement from international football. He later won the Copa América and the 2022 World Cup before announcing his Argentina farewell after the 2026 final against Spain.
Lionel Messi’s first Argentina appearance in August 2005 ended with a red card: the 18-year-old came on against Hungary and was sent off less than a minute later. In March 2006, he scored his first international goal in a friendly against Croatia.
At the 2006 World Cup, Messi scored in the group stage, but watched from the bench as Argentina lost to Germany on penalties in the quarterfinals. Argentina then lost the 2007 Copa América final to Brazil, 3-0. Messi later inherited the No. 10 shirt and the captain’s armband, along with the expectations that he would carry on Diego Maradona’s legacy.
Argentina reached the 2014 World Cup final but lost to Germany in extra time. After two Copa América final defeats to Chile, Messi announced his retirement from the national team in 2016, then returned. He won his first major title with Argentina at the 2021 Copa América and led the team to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Argentina met Spain in the 2026 World Cup final on July 19 in New Jersey. Spain won 1-0 through Ferran Torres’ extra-time goal. Messi subsequently announced his retirement from the national team and played a farewell match for Argentina in October. FIFA’s archive and international news reports confirm the major career milestones and the final’s result.