Lionel “Leo” Messi got a red card the first time he ever played for Argentina. Messi first debuted with the Argentina team in 2005 when Argentina was playing against Hungary in a friendly match. He came on in the 63rd minute of the game, replacing Lisandro López. As he came on, Hungarian defender Vilmos Vanczák was tugging on Messi’s shirt, which encouraged Messi to elbow the defender. The referee didn’t hesitate and pulled out a red card, making Messi’s story with Argentina chaotic from the very beginning. Soon after, he played in the 2008 Olympics with the U-23 team where he won the gold medal. So, when he got called up for the first team, Messi came in as a promise. He was going to give the team glory, just like Diego Maradona once did. Club-wise, he was doing amazing with FC Barcelona. And he clearly wasn’t doing badly with the U-23 team, leading people to believe he was Argentina’s next big star. But his glory never came.
In the 2014 World Cup, Argentina made it all the way to the final. They lost 0-1 against Germany in extra time. It was soul-crushing for fans everywhere. After that night, Messi’s worthiness of the Argentina jersey was doubted. Fans had set a very high expectation for him, which only led to staggering heartbreak. After this, he went on to have back-to-back losses. He lost both the 2015 and the 2016 Copa América tournaments. Messi was exhausted from all the losses and the hate he was receiving, leading him to announce his retirement from international soccer in June 2016. He was tired of living in the shadow of Maradona’s legacy and competing with the Argentine expectations of him.
But his story didn’t end there. It was simply the setup of the greatest redemption arc in modern sports history. Messi returned to the team briefly in August 2016 for World Cup qualifiers. And there he stayed. He came back with a sense of renewed purpose and with a hunger to conquer. He wanted to prove that he was worthy of wearing the Argentina jersey.
And in 2021, it finally happened. Argentina won the Copa América 1-0 against Brazil. The curse was broken. They even won on the very same field they had lost on a couple years back: the Maracaña Stadium in Brazil. Even winning the same way they lost, 1-0. For the first time in 28 years, Argentina won a major trophy. And for the first time, Messi won something with the senior national team. The fairy-tale dream continued in 2022 at the World Cup in Qatar. Argentina played France in the final. In one of the most dramatic and thrilling World Cup finals, Messi scored two legendary goals. The result? Lifting the trophy he had spent his entire life chasing. Argentina won the World Cup, and Messi fulfilled his promise to his team. The golden era was followed by another Copa América title in 2024.
Messi went from being the shame of Argentina to being what some consider to be the GOAT of soccer.
His curtain finally fell after announcing his retirement following the 2026 World Cup. Argentina went on a great run up until the final, where Spain scored in extra time. Around this very same time, Messi lost his father. And on Aug. 31, with an emotional letter, he took to Instagram and formally announced his retirement.
His last curtain call was on Oct. 6. Messi played a friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Before kickoff, a massive banner adorned with his legendary No. 10 jersey and the word “Gracias” covered the pitch. Over 85 thousand adoring fans gave him a standing ovation. With his family in the stands, Messi played one final match with the “albiceleste”. He said goodbye the Messi way, scoring a penalty and assisting on two goals. Argentina won the game 3-0. As the final whistle blew, the boy who had once been sent off after two minutes left the pitch a World Cup champion, leaving behind a legacy Argentina and the entire world will cherish forever.
Messi’s story has touched millions all over the world. From the kids who grew up with him to the adults that saw him bloom, Messi marks the end of an era for international soccer. He gave Argentina the glory it had dreamed of and, in return, became a part of its history forever. Even though he’ll never wear Argentina’s colors again, his legacy will live on in every child who dreams of becoming the next Messi. Legends never truly say goodbye, they live on in every single person they inspired.