--- title: "Lionel Messi Says Goodbye to Football: A Legendary Argentina Career Comes to an End" english_title: "Lionel Messi Retirement: Argentina Legend Ends Two-Decade International Career" publisher: "Truevision English News" canonical_url: "https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/380620/lionel-messi-retirement-argentina-career-ends-two-decades" published_at: "2026-09-01T07:58:00+05:30" category: "Sports" language: "en" image: "https://cf.zdn.im/img/truevisionnews.com/0/image-uploads/6a9639e736a1a_lionel-messi-retirement-argentina-career-ends-two-decades.jpg" keywords: ["Lionel Messi", "Messi retirement", "Lionel Messi retirement news", "Argentina football", "Messi World Cup", "Messi international career", "Messi goals"] --- # Lionel Messi Says Goodbye to Football: A Legendary Argentina Career Comes to an End > **Lead Summary:** There will be no more Messi moments in the Argentina shirt. After two decades filled with breathtaking goals, magical passes, heartbreaking defeats and unforgettable triumphs, Lionel Messi has reportedly decided that the time has come to step away. ## Article Content There will be no more Messi moments in the Argentina shirt. After two decades filled with breathtaking goals, magical passes, heartbreaking defeats and unforgettable triumphs, Lionel Messi has reportedly decided that the time has come to step away. For years, football fans around the world watched the game through the brilliance of one man. At times, the entire footballing world seemed to revolve around Messi and the ball at his feet. Having achieved almost everything possible in the sport, the Argentine superstar is now preparing to bring an extraordinary chapter of his career to a close. Messi made his Argentina debut in August 2005 against Hungary, although his first appearance ended in disappointment after he was sent off shortly after coming on. What followed, however, was the beginning of one of the greatest international careers in football history. His trademark left-footed free kicks, extraordinary dribbles and ability to find passing and shooting angles invisible to others became his signature. A small gap in an opponent's defence was often all Messi needed. His goal against Mexico at the 2022 World Cup was a classic example. Once he received the ball, everything seemed to accelerate. He would assess the goalkeeper's position, the defenders around him and the movement of his teammates within seconds. Messi was never simply a goalscorer. Creating goals for others was equally important to him. From Struggles to Argentina's Greatest Triumph Former Barcelona teammate Gerard Piqué once recalled seeing a young Messi at La Masia, isolated and struggling with a deep sense of insecurity. At Barcelona, he eventually developed into a phenomenon. His early years with Argentina, however, were far more difficult. > Diego Maradona once reminded him: “Remember, this is Argentina, not the club.” When Messi made his World Cup debut at the age of 18, the pressure was enormous. Argentine media and fans questioned whether he could reproduce his club form on the international stage. The 2014 World Cup final defeat against Germany was devastating. Two consecutive Copa América final losses followed. In 2016, after missing his penalty during the shootout against Chile, Messi broke down in tears on the pitch and announced that he was stepping away from international football. Argentina's fans eventually embraced him again, and Messi returned with renewed energy. The biggest reward came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. After Argentina lost their opening match against Saudi Arabia, Messi led the team through a remarkable campaign. In the final against France, he scored twice and converted his penalty in the shootout as Argentina finally lifted the World Cup. It was the trophy that had eluded him for so long. Miami: Messi's decision to bring his football journey to an end was also influenced by the death of his father, Jorge Messi, according to the account provided in his retirement statement.Jorge Messi died last month. Messi reportedly said at the end of his retirement note that his father's death helped confirm his decision. The note was prepared two days after the World Cup final, and the loss of his father played a decisive role in his decision to step away.Jorge had been a central figure throughout Messi's extraordinary football journey, supporting his son from his early days in Rosario through his rise to global superstardom. Six World Cups, 21 Goals Messi made his World Cup debut at the 2006 tournament in Germany at the age of 18. He scored his first World Cup goal against Serbia and Montenegro. At the 2010 World Cup, he failed to score. Four years later in Brazil, he scored four goals as Argentina reached the final, where they lost to Germany. Messi was nevertheless named the tournament's best player. The 2018 World Cup proved less successful for Messi and Argentina, with the captain scoring only once. Then came Qatar in 2022. Following the shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening match, Messi inspired Argentina throughout the tournament. He scored seven goals, including two in the final against France, and converted his penalty during the decisive shootout. Argentina finally became world champions. Across his World Cup career, Messi has established himself among the tournament's greatest-ever performers. His numbers, combined with his influence on the field, tell only part of the story of a player whose impact went far beyond goals and assists. After years of heartbreak, criticism and pressure, Messi eventually achieved the ultimate prize with Argentina. Now, after more than two decades of international football, the era of the Argentine No. 10 is approaching its emotional conclusion. ### Related Links & Sources - [Original Story Source](https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/380620/lionel-messi-retirement-argentina-career-ends-two-decades)