Lionel Messi back at MetLife for Spain v Argentina final, 10 years after retirement announcement | OneFootball

Lionel Messi returns to MetLife Stadium on Sunday for the Spain v Argentina World Cup final at 21:00, the site of his 2016 international retirement announcement.

He knows the ground well. According to L'Équipe, he struck a hat-trick there on 9 June 2012 as Argentina beat Brazil 4-3, settling it in the 84th minute after a 40‑metre burst.

Finals had already stung. Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup to Germany 1-0 after extra time, then in 2015 in Santiago fell to Chile on penalties after a 0-0 draw, 1-4, with Messi the only Argentine to score.

At MetLife in June 2016, the Copa América Centenario final finished 0-0 against Chile before Argentina lost 2-4 on penalties, and Messi, taking first, missed. With the national team without a trophy since 1993, the 29-year-old said the national side was over for him.

The reaction at home was intense. Javier Mascherano and Sergio Agüero urged a rethink, and new coach Edgardo Bauza travelled to Barcelona. About six weeks later Messi returned, saying he had considered stopping but loved his country and shirt.

On 2 September he started as Argentina began 2018 World Cup qualifying against Uruguay, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win. He returned to MetLife on 25 June 2024 for a Copa América group game, a 1-0 victory over Chile via Lautaro Martínez, before injury limited his role as Argentina later beat Colombia 1-0 after extra time to win the title. Sunday offers a chance to close the circle.

Source: L'Équipe