In the history of world football, one name defines an era. That name is Lionel Messi. On Monday, August 31, the 39-year-old Messi officially announced his retirement from the national team, ending a 21-year career with the “Albiceleste”.
Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Santa Fe province, Argentina, Messi showed exceptional talent in football from a young age while playing in local fields.
On December 14, 2000, Carles Rexach, the then technical director of Barcelona, wrote a promise to Messi on a napkin, which became one of the most famous “napkin contracts” in the world of football.
In 2008, under the coaching of Josep Guardiola, Messi experienced a significant turning point in his career at Barcelona. In Guardiola’s tactical system, Messi had unprecedented freedom to display his skills from the right-wing, the center, dropping back to organize play, or making sudden runs into the box to score crucial goals.
During the 2008-2009 season, Barcelona won La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League, achieving a historic treble. Messi rapidly became one of the most dazzling players in world football during this period, winning his first Ballon d’Or in 2009, marking the beginning of an era dominated by Messi.
Subsequently, Messi played 778 games for Barcelona, scored a club-record 672 goals, won 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League trophies, and secured 8 Ballon d’Or awards in his illustrious career. The napkin that changed the course of Messi’s, Barcelona’s, and football history, was auctioned for £762,400 in 2024.
In the 2010-2011 season, Messi scored crucial goals, including in the UEFA Champions League final where Barcelona defeated Manchester United 3-1, showcasing their iconic possession-based style of play. Messi stood at the center stage of world football.
In 2012, Messi created a stunning record by scoring 91 goals in a calendar year, a feat almost impossible to surpass in the history of football. He not only scored but consistently found the back of the net.
Whether with long-range shots, poaching in the box, free-kicks, one-on-ones, or dribbling past defenders, Messi could score in almost every manner. Moreover, he was not just a scorer but also a playmaker for the team.
After 2014, Barcelona entered another golden era with the famous “MSN” trio consisting of Messi, Neymar from Brazil, and Luis Suárez from Uruguay. Their understanding on the field made Barcelona one of the most potent attacking teams in Europe once again.
In the 2014-2015 season, Barcelona achieved another treble, culminating in a Champions League victory over Juventus in the final. This was Messi’s third Champions League trophy in his professional career.
Although Messi joined the national team in 2006, it wasn’t until 2021 that Messi led Argentina to victory in the Copa America.
In the 2022 Qatar World Cup, at the age of 35, Messi led Argentina. Eventually, Argentina defeated France, and Messi lifted the World Cup trophy.
Messi’s brilliance transcended beyond team achievements; his personal accolades were equally impressive, with multiple Ballon d’Or wins.
In 2021, Messi left Barcelona after many years and joined Paris Saint-Germain. In Paris, Messi continued to win the Ligue 1 title.
In 2023, Messi joined Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, further boosting the global attention on American football and MLS.
In the 2024 Copa America, Argentina claimed the title once again by defeating Colombia in the final. Although Messi was injured and had to leave the match, he witnessed the team lifting the trophy once more. Messi had become the leader who led Argentina to successive victories.
The Copa America in 2021, the World Cup in 2022, and the Copa America in 2024; these three championships turned Messi’s story with the Argentine national team into a legend.
At the 2026 World Cup, the 39-year-old Messi represented Argentina once again. This time, however, Messi was unable to secure the World Cup title.
On Monday, Messi announced his retirement from the national team, concluding his international career with 207 appearances and 125 goals. He leaves behind a World Cup title, 2 Copa America wins, and a Euro-American Cup triumph, leading Argentina to three World Cup finals.