Lionel Messi closed his cycle with the Argentine National Team after more than two decades and a history that included frustrations, lost finals, and finally, a collection of titles that made him one of the greatest figures in the history of Argentine football.
From his debut in 2005 to his last match in the final of the 2026 World Cup, the Rosario native left an indelible mark with the albiceleste jersey. For this reason, it is necessary to review the ten moments that defined his extensive journey with the national team.
The most notable moments of Lionel Messi with the Argentine National Team
1: His debut
On August 17, 2005, Lionel Messi made his debut with the Senior National Team in a friendly against Hungary, held in Budapest. At 63 minutes into the game, José Pekerman decided to give him his first minutes; however, he could do little, as just seconds after his entry, he was sent off after a scuffle with Vilmos Vanczák. That day, which began with great expectations, ended abruptly, but it would only be the first chapter of an extraordinary story.
2: His first goal
Despite his bitter start, the Flea managed to bounce back a few months later with his debut goal. Messi's first shout came on March 1, 2006, in a friendly against Croatia in Basel. The forward received an assist from Carlos Tevez and finished to score the partial 2-1.
3: His first World Cup
His outstanding level both at Barcelona and in his early appearances with the Albiceleste led him to be part of Pekerman's squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The then-youngster debuted against Serbia and Montenegro, coming on in the second half and participating in the 6-0 rout. In that match, he scored his first World Cup goal and became the youngest Argentine to score in a World Cup.
4: The gold in the Olympics
Alongside his life at Barça and the Senior National Team, the Rosario star faced one of his biggest challenges until then: the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In that tournament, he played a leading role in a team full of emerging stars like Ángel Di María, Sergio "Kun" Agüero, Sergio "Chiquito" Romero, Fernando Gago, and Ezequiel Lavezzi, as well as established figures like Javier Mascherano and Juan Román Riquelme. After overcoming several strong rivals along the way, Sergio Batista's team faced Nigeria in the grand final, winning 1-0 to claim the gold medal.
5: The World Cup of the two 10s
Although it was not one of his best World Cups in terms of results, South Africa 2010 had a particularity that would be forever etched in memory: Messi was coached by Diego Maradona. The two greatest exponents in the history of Argentine football shared a World Cup, with Maradona as coach and Messi as the great reference on the field. Argentina advanced with authority to the quarter-finals, where they fell 4-0 to Germany, but that World Cup remained a unique postcard of two generations of "10s" together.
6: So close to touching the sky
Brazil 2014 represented one of Messi's highest points with the National Team and, at the same time, one of his greatest sports frustrations. Argentina reached the World Cup final after defeating Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands in the decisive stages. At the Maracanã, Germany won 1-0 in extra time with a goal from Mario Götze. Messi received the Golden Ball of the tournament but fell just short of the title he desired most.
