Unforgettable! Messi’s 5️⃣ iconic moments with Argentina

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OneFootball

·31 August 2026

Unforgettable! Messi’s 5️⃣ iconic moments with Argentina

Lionel Messi’s journey wearing the Albiceleste shirt is an epic tale made up of resilience, pain, and absolute glory. Over more than two decades, the Rosario star produced unforgettable moments that left their mark on the history of international football.

🚨🇦🇷 MESSI SE RETIRÓ DE LA SELECCIÓN ARGENTINA 👇 A través de una carta, hizo el anuncio oficial: "Después de este tiempo que pasó desde la final, pensándolo mucho, quiero comunicarles a todos que me retiro de la Selección… Fue una decisión que dolió y duele en el alma pero
– Monday, 31 August 2026

1. The bitter debut against Hungary

On August 17, 2005, an 18-year-old Messi made his senior national team debut in a friendly against Hungary in Budapest. Just 47 seconds after coming on in the second half, he was shown a straight red card for swinging an arm after having his shirt pulled. A rocky start that came before his era of brilliance.

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Budapest, 17 de agosto de 2005. Hungría-Argentina en el Ferenc Puskás. Messi, que había ingresado por el Licha López y llevaba apenas 40 segundos en el terreno de juego, es expulsado en su debut con la Selección por propinarle un manotazo a un rival.
– Tuesday, 16 August 2022

2. The World Cup with Diego Maradona

At the 2010 World Cup, Leo arrived in what was perhaps the best moment of his career at FC Barcelona, and the meeting with Diego Armando Maradona as coach of the Argentine national team marked a before and after in his career.

13 años del debut de Argentina en el mundial 2010. Quisiera haber tenido más conciencia de lo que significaba esto. Maradona y Messi juntos. 🇦🇷❤️
– Monday, 12 June 2023

3. The 2021 Copa América and the end of the drought

The Maracanã witnessed the end of the Albiceleste’s 28-year title drought. By beating Brazil 1-0 in the 2021 Copa América final, Messi lifted his first official trophy with the senior national team, a success he later repeated in the 2024 edition.

🚨𝗡𝗘𝗪: Lionel Messi for Argentina: 🏆 1x World Cup 🏆 2x Copa América 🏆 1x Finalissima 🏆 1x Olympic Gold 🏆 1x U20 World Cup 👕 207 games 🌟 193 G/A ⚽️ 125 goals 🅰️ 68 assists
– Monday, 31 August 2026

4. Eternal glory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

The high point of his career came on December 18, 2022, at Lusail Stadium. After defeating France in a memorable penalty shootout, the 'Flea' lifted the long-awaited World Cup, scoring two goals in the final and being awarded as the best player of the tournament.

5. The pain of the final against Spain

Despite his historic career, Messi once again tasted bitterness in a decisive clash. In the World Cup final played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Argentina fell 1-0 after extra time to Lamine Yamal’s Spain. It was his second defeat in a World Cup final after the one in 2014, marking a sad chapter but also one of enormous pride and collective effort.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

📸 PAUL ELLIS - AFP or licensors

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