Lionel Messi brings his illustrious international career to an end in a farewell friendly against Benin, scoring from the penalty spot and providing two assists as the South Americans marched to a convincing 3-0 victory.

BolaNews highlights his top five biggest moments in an Argentina shirt, from the moment he announced himself on the global stage to the moment he reached football immortality.

5.) Messi, the Olympic Gold Medallist

Perhaps an achievement that rarely receives the attention it deserves, Lionel Messi won an Olympic gold medal with the Argentina U-23 men’s national football team at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.

Argentina narrowly defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the gold medal match on August 23, 2008. Messi provided an assist for the winning goal, which Ángel Di María scored beautifully. It was the same iconic partnership that would lead Argentina to the pinnacle of world football more than a decade later.

4.) Messi Scores on His World Cup Debut

You could almost sense that the late Diego Maradona’s predecessor had announced himself on the global stage.

He didn’t just make an immediate impact on the game; it was the birth of a new dawn. Lionel Messi scored and provided an assist in his first game at the global showpiece against Serbia and Montenegro, as Argentina cruised to a 6-0 victory. Those were just early signs of what was yet to come.

3.) The 39-Year-Old Wizard

Argentina may not have won the 2026 World Cup, but it will forever be a campaign that reminds the football world that class is permanent. Many wondered how Argentina would defend the trophy they had won four years earlier. Not only did they exceed expectations, but they were simply at the peak of their powers, largely due to Lionel Messi’s ability to influence games.

The men in white and sky blue went all the way to the final, with their iconic number 10 scoring eight goals and providing four assists at 39, bringing his total to 21, the second-highest all-time record. He may have lost the final, but his performance at the global showpiece certainly won the hearts of many football fans.

2.) Messi Finally Lifts Silverware for His Country

Messi’s career always seemed rosy while playing club football, but unfortunately for one of the best players of his generation, nothing seemed to work on the international stage.

All that changed when Argentina defeated arch-rivals Brazil 1-0, giving Messi his first-ever senior international trophy with Argentina and bringing an end to a long streak of final heartbreak after winning the 2021 Copa América final.

1.) Messi Reaches Football Immortality

While many refer to him as the greatest of all time, it was difficult to have that conversation before he won the World Cup.

Lionel Messi leading Argentina to victory in Qatar was undoubtedly one of the most exciting finals you will ever watch and most certainly cemented his status above the rest, putting an end to decades of condemnation and comparison.

Even as he brings his stellar international career to an end, you can safely say that he won it all.