By Samuel Akpan
Lionel Messi has walked away from Argentina. Twenty-one years, 207 caps, 125 goals, one World Cup, two Copa Américas and a farewell that still hurts him “deep in the soul.”
These are the nights that turned a shy Rosario kid into the man who finally outran Maradona’s shadow.
1. The 18-year-old spark — World Cup 2006
On 16 June 2006 in Gelsenkirchen, an 18-year-old substitute scored Argentina’s sixth goal against Serbia and Montenegro. Fourteen minutes on the pitch. One assist, one goal. The world met Lionel Messi.
2. Olympic gold, Beijing 2008
Before the senior drought became a national wound, Messi won gold with the U23 side. Two goals, a tournament of promise. It was the first senior-looking medal — and a reminder of what the senior team still lacked.
3. The 2014 masterpiece that ended in extra-time heartbreak
Four goals, the Golden Ball, and a stoppage-time curler against Iran that remains one of his sweetest World Cup strikes. Argentina reached the final in Brazil. Mario Götze scored. Messi walked past the trophy. The image never left him.
4. Quito, October 2017 — the hat-trick that saved a World Cup
Argentina were dying in the qualifiers. High altitude, Ecuador, must-win. Messi scored three. Russia 2018 was secured. Without that night, the later glory never happens.
5. The curse broken — Maracanã, 10 July 2021
Ángel Di María scored. Brazil were beaten 1-0 on their own ground. Messi dropped to his knees, then was lifted by teammates. First senior title after four lost finals. Golden Ball and Golden Boot. The dam broke.
6. The Gvardiol slalom — World Cup semi-final, 2022
Messi nutmegged and spun Josko Gvardiol on the byline, then laid the ball off for Julián Álvarez. A 3-0 win over Croatia. Pure theatre. Argentina were in another World Cup final.
7. Immortality — Lusail, 18 December 2022
Two goals in the final against France. A 3-3 draw after extra time. Penalties. Messi converted. Argentina were world champions for the first time in 36 years. He became the first man to win the Golden Ball twice. The wait was over.
8. First World Cup hat-trick — Kansas City, 16 June 2026
At 38, defending champions Argentina opened the 2026 tournament against Algeria. Messi scored three. He equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup record of 16 goals that night. The old magic was still there.9. Alone at the top — World Cup record vs Austria, 2026
Two more goals. Eighteen World Cup goals. Klose was behind him. Messi would finish the tournament with 21 goals and eight in a single edition — matching Guillermo Stábile’s Argentine mark from 1930. Mbappé later overtook him, but the record had already been his.
10. The last dance — extra-time final vs Spain, July 2026
Argentina reached a third World Cup final with Messi as captain. Spain won 1-0 after extra time. No fairy-tale ending. Weeks later his father Jorge died. On 31 August 2026, Messi posted the letter he had written two days after the final: the time had come.
He leaves as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and record scorer, a two-time Copa América winner (2021, 2024), Finalissima champion, Olympic gold medallist, and the only player to start three World Cup finals as captain.
The numbers are absurd. The moments are bigger.
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