How Messi's decade of dominance almost never happened
Lionel Messi has retired from international football following a decade of dominance that nearly ended prematurely after his 2016 retirement announcement. His career with Argentina includes World Cup and Copa America titles, cementing his legacy as one of the sport's greatest players.
Why it matters
Messi's retirement marks the end of an era for international football and highlights the narrative arc of one of the most influential athletes in history.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Lionel Messi scored eight goals and registered four assists at the 2026 World Cup
"I've given it my all, I have nothing left to give."
Lionel Messi retired from international football on Monday as Argentina's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. He captained them to World Cup glory at Qatar 2022 and to Copa America triumphs in 2021 and 2024.
But the world was almost denied his most successful period in the famous blue and white shirt.
On Sunday, 26 June 2016, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Messi broke the hearts of a nation.
Just two days after his 29th birthday and soon after missing a penalty in Argentina's Copa America final loss to Chile in a shootout, Messi decided he had seen enough.
After 113 appearances, he was adamant. In his mind, he would never pull on an Argentina shirt again.
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