Lionel Messi retires from international football: Where does Argentina legend rank all-time?

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team. The 39-year-old posted an emotional video on Instagram on Monday, showing his appearances over the years for Argentina, to make the announcement. He said the decision "hurt" but the "time has come" and that he has "nothing left to give" on the international stage. Messi won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America's titles during his sensational career with the South American giants. The most famous moment for him in the iconic No. 10 jersey was leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, as they won the trophy for the first time in over 36 years. Messi also pulled off so many wonderful moments during the 2026 World Cup this summer as Argentina defied belief to reach the final. But they lost in extra time in the final to Spain, with Messi in tears, as they missed out on becoming just the third men's team in history to win back-to-back titles. That defeat in the final to Spain in New Jersey on July 19, 2026 turned out to be Messi's final game in an Argentina shirt. He scored 125 goals in 207 games for Argentina and played for them at six World Cups. Alongside his compatriot Diego Maradona and Brazil's Pele, Messi will go down as among the top three international players in all history. For many he is the greatest, even if he struggled for success with Argentina for well over a decade before the trophies finally arrived.