After more than two decades in the famous blue and white shirt, Lionel Messi’s extraordinary Argentina career is coming to an end tonight in a friendly against Benin.
There were painful defeats along the way, but Messi ultimately completed international football. Copa América glory, a World Cup, countless records and some unforgettable individual performances turned his Argentina story into one of football’s greatest.
As Messi prepares to play his final game for his country, we count down his 10 greatest moments in an Argentina shirt.
10. Becoming Argentina’s Youngest World Cup Goalscorer – 2006
The beginning of Messi’s World Cup story.
An 18-year-old Messi came off the bench against Serbia and Montenegro at the 2006 World Cup and announced himself with a goal in Argentina’s 6-0 victory.
It was his first World Cup goal and made him the youngest Argentine ever to score at the tournament.
Few could have imagined what would follow.
? #OTD in 2??0??0??6??
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 16, 2022
One of the greatest to ever grace the football pitch made his #FIFAWorldCup debut… And it didn't take him long to get into the action ?? @afa | pic.twitter.com/qWVJhjJgeD
9. The Hat-Trick Against Brazil – 2012
Even in a friendly, a Messi hat-trick against Brazil was always going to be special.
Argentina beat their great rivals 4-3 in New Jersey, with Messi scoring three times – including a stunning late winner from outside the box.
It remains one of his most memorable individual performances in an Argentina shirt.
8. Breaking Gabriel Batistuta’s Argentina Goals Record – 2016
For years, Gabriel Batistuta’s 54 international goals had been the benchmark for Argentine strikers.
Messi eventually surpassed him during the 2016 Copa América Centenario, scoring a brilliant free-kick against the United States in the semi-final.
It made Messi Argentina’s outright record goalscorer – a record he would go on to extend considerably.
7. The Hat-Trick That Sent Argentina to the 2018 World Cup
Argentina’s place at the 2018 World Cup was in serious danger when they travelled to Ecuador for their final qualifier.
They conceded inside the opening minute…Then Messi took over.
The captain scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory, dragging Argentina to Russia when their World Cup hopes were hanging by a thread.
LEO, EL SALVADOR. Hace exactamente 2 años Messi la rompía ante Ecuador y Argentina se clasificaba al Mundial de Rusia 2018. El resultado fue 3-1. pic.twitter.com/E9gEn1KgAf
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) October 10, 2019
6. Hat-Trick Against Algeria at the 2026 World Cup
At 39 years old, Messi began his sixth World Cup in spectacular fashion.
Argentina opened their 2026 campaign against Algeria, and their captain rolled back the years with a brilliant hat-trick, immediately putting himself among the tournament’s early headlines.
Almost two decades after scoring his first World Cup goal in 2006, Messi was still delivering on football’s biggest stage – making it another remarkable chapter in his Argentina story.
5. The Assist Against the Netherlands – 2022 World Cup
Messi’s 2022 World Cup wasn’t only about goals.
His outrageous no-look pass through the Netherlands defence to set up Nahuel Molina in the quarter-final was one of the assists of the tournament.
Argentina eventually survived an extraordinary Dutch comeback and penalty shootout, with Messi also scoring from the spot during the game and again in the shootout.
It was another huge step towards the trophy.
That Messi & Molina link-up ?
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 6, 2023
? Happy birthday, Nahuel! #FIFAWorldCup | @AFASeleccionEN pic.twitter.com/RuYAGvmkhW
4. Destroying Croatia in the World Cup Semi-Final – 2022
With Argentina one victory away from another World Cup final, Messi produced a masterclass.
He scored from the penalty spot before creating one of the tournament’s defining moments, twisting and turning past Joško Gvardiol before putting the ball on a plate for Julián Álvarez.
Argentina won 3-0. Messi was heading back to a World Cup final – but this time, the story would have a different ending.
Slowing it down… ???#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/kbZkE2ZzWh
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 24, 2025
3. Winning the Finalissima at Wembley – 2022
The trophies were suddenly starting to arrive.
Less than a year after winning the Copa América, Argentina faced European champions Italy at Wembley in the Finalissima.
Messi produced another superb performance as Argentina won 3-0, providing two assists and being named Player of the Match.
The result also showed that Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina were genuine contenders heading into the World Cup later that year.
2. Finally Winning the Copa América – 2021
This was the night everything changed for Messi and Argentina.
After losing multiple major finals, Messi finally lifted his first senior international trophy when Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 at the Maracanã in the Copa América final.
Ángel Di María scored the winner, but this was Messi’s tournament too. He finished with four goals and five assists and was central to Argentina’s run to the trophy.
The sight of his teammates surrounding him at full-time before throwing their captain into the air said everything. The wait was over.
1. Winning the World Cup – 2022
What else could possibly be No.1? Argentina against France produced one of the greatest World Cup finals ever played.
Messi scored twice as the game finished 3-3 after extra time, before converting Argentina’s first penalty in the shootout. Gonzalo Montiel eventually scored the decisive spot-kick.
After the defeats, the criticism, the retirements and the comparisons with Diego Maradona, Messi finally had his World Cup.
He finished the tournament with seven goals, scored in every knockout round and won the Golden Ball as its best player.
And then came the image that will define his Argentina career forever: Lionel Messi lifting the World Cup.
Messi with the trophy. ? pic.twitter.com/KGdVS2fXSI
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 18, 2023
An Argentina Career Like No Other
Messi’s international story wasn’t always straightforward.
He lost the 2014 World Cup final and suffered repeated Copa América heartbreak before briefly announcing his international retirement in 2016.
But he came back – and completely rewrote the ending.
Copa América champion. Finalissima winner. World champion. Argentina’s record goalscorer and appearance holder.
Whatever happens in his final appearance, Messi leaves behind one of the greatest international careers football has ever seen.
Bet on Messi’s final ever Argentina game against Benin tonight here!
