Lionel Messi is retiring from international football after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away at age 87 on July 17, 2025. The retirement ends an international career that began in 2005 and lasted two decades, during which Messi became the player with the most appearances and most goals for the Argentine national team.
BBC Sport remembers some of the most iconic moments of his journey wearing the albiceleste jersey. The article title mentions World Cup, goals, records and tears as central elements of this story. Messi reached the pinnacle of his international career by winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Over two decades wearing the Argentine national team jersey, Messi broke various records and accumulated important achievements, including multiple Copa América titles. The decision to retire comes at a time of profound personal loss following the passing of his father, who was a present figure in his life since the beginning of his football career.
The retirement represents the end of an era for Argentine and world football. Messi leaves behind a legacy that includes some of the most memorable moments in sports, marked both by historic victories and emotional moments that moved fans around the world.
