Lionel Messi - International Career

Lionel Messi

International Career

Main article: Lionel Messi's career § International career

As a dual national of Argentina and Spain, Messi was eligible to play for the national teams of both countries. He made his debut for Argentina in 2004 with the under-20 team against Paraguay and was later included in the squad for the 2005 South American U-20 Championship, where they finished in third place. Messi then led the team to victory in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, which was his first success with Argentina. Finishing the tournament with six goals and two assists, he also won the Golden Ball.

Messi made his senior international debut in 2005 at the age of 18 in a friendly match against Hungary. His first start came in 2006 against Peru, and he scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Croatia. His World Cup debut came in the 2006 FIFA World Cup against Serbia and Montenegro, coming on as a substitute in the 74th minute, assisting one goal and scoring the final goal to secure Argentina's win. As a result, he became the youngest player to represent and score for Argentina in a World Cup.

He again represented Argentina in the 2007 Copa América, where they eventually lost in the final. Messi was nominated as the tournament's best young player for scoring two goals and providing one assist. The 2008 Summer Olympics marked another major achievement for his country, as he led Argentina's U-23 team to win the Olympic gold medal against Nigeria. Messi scored two goals and provided three assists throughout the tournament, and FIFA recognized him as one of the best players in the tournament's best XI.

After Juan Román Riquelme's international retirement, Messi was given Argentina's number 10 jersey. In the 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage match against Greece — where most of the starting lineup was rested due to already securing a place in the knockout round — Messi wore the captain's armband for the first time. In that tournament, Argentina was eventually eliminated in the quarter-finals by Germany. However, Messi was recognized as one of the top 10 players of the tournament due to his speed and creativity, despite failing to score any goals and managing only one assist.

Before the 2011 Copa América, Argentina began building their team around Messi. However, in that tournament, Messi again failed to score but provided three assists. The team was ultimately eliminated in the quarter-finals by Uruguay in a penalty shootout.

Following their poor performance, 24-year-old Messi was named the captain of the team. The following years were filled with disappointment for Messi due to Argentina’s failure to win an international trophy. During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Messi and Argentina reached the final but lost to Germany. Nevertheless, Messi scored four goals and provided one assist throughout the tournament, earning him the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

The following year, in the 2015 Copa América final, Argentina lost to Chile in a penalty shootout. At the end of the tournament, Messi was reportedly selected for the Golden Ball award for his one goal and three assists, but he declined the honor. In the 2016 Copa América Centenario semi-final against the United States, Messi scored a goal that made him Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta. However, in the final, Argentina once again lost to Chile. Messi finished the tournament with five goals and four assists.

After losing three consecutive finals in three years, Messi announced his retirement from international football. However, a nationwide campaign in Argentina convinced him to reverse his decision. He returned to the national team to lead Argentina in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In the final qualifying match against Ecuador, Argentina was at risk of missing the tournament, but Messi's dramatic hat-trick secured their place. During the World Cup, Argentina was eliminated in the Round of 16 by France, where Messi scored one goal and provided two assists.

The following year, Messi once again represented Argentina in the 2019 Copa América, where he managed only one goal and one assist. The team lost to host nation Brazil in the semi-finals but secured third place by defeating Chile. Though they didn’t win the tournament, this victory marked the beginning of a 36-match unbeaten streak for Argentina that would last over three years.

Messi finally ended Argentina’s 28-year trophy drought by winning the 2021 Copa América, as they had not won any international tournament since 1993. In a group stage match against Bolivia, he surpassed Javier Mascherano to become Argentina’s most capped player. In the final, Argentina defeated Brazil, and Messi was named the best player of the tournament for his direct involvement in 9 of Argentina’s 12 goals—scoring four and assisting five.

He went on to win another international trophy at the 2022 Finalissima, leading Argentina against UEFA Euro 2020 champions Italy. After providing two assists, he was named Man of the Match.

In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Messi led Argentina to their first World Cup victory in 36 years, scoring twice in the final against France. He scored seven goals and provided three assists throughout the tournament, earning him the Golden Ball once again—making him the first player in history to win it twice. His appearance in the final also set new records for the most appearances in World Cup history and the most direct goal contributions (21 – 13 goals and 8 assists).

In 2023, Messi scored a hat-trick in a friendly against Curaçao, reaching 100 international goals. He became the third player and the first South American in history to achieve this milestone. Later that year, a goal against Peru made Messi the all-time top scorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.

In the 2024 Copa América semi-final against Canada, Messi scored his first and only goal of the tournament, making him the second-highest international goal scorer of all time. Argentina ultimately won the final against Colombia to claim their second consecutive Copa América title. Messi contributed with a goal and an assist, and also set a new record for most appearances in Copa América history.

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