Lionel Messi could play his last matches in the Argentina national team jersey
Lionel Messi’s legendary career with the Argentina national team may be approaching its final chapter. Reports suggest the 38-year-old star will say goodbye after the next FIFA World Cup.
Last matches on South American soil
According to Dsports, Messi could make his final appearances in Argentina’s jersey this September. On September 4, the Albiceleste face Venezuela in what is expected to be Messi’s last official match played in Argentina. Five days later, on September 9, he will meet Ecuador, potentially his final game on South American soil before heading into the World Cup.
These fixtures will be Argentina’s last official encounters before the tournament that could seal Messi’s farewell from international football.
A second farewell after 2016
It wouldn’t be the first time Messi announced his retirement from the national team. In 2016, following the Copa América Centenario defeat, the forward briefly stepped away, citing repeated frustrations with Argentina’s inability to win titles. However, he returned and went on to achieve the greatest successes of his international career.
From disappointment to glory
For years, Messi’s time with Argentina was marked by near misses and painful defeats, often fueling criticism that he couldn’t replicate his Barcelona dominance with the national team. That changed in 2021, when Argentina lifted the Copa América, ending a 28-year trophy drought.
Messi then led his country to glory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest of all time. In 2024, Argentina triumphed again at the Copa América, positioning themselves as favorites for another World Cup run.
A historic legacy
Beyond Argentina, Messi’s career with Barcelona defined an era, with four Champions League titles, ten La Liga trophies, and countless records. He later played for PSG and now Inter Miami, continuing to captivate fans worldwide.
Individually, his dominance is unmatched: eight Ballon d’Or awards, the most in history, recognizing him as the best player in world football across multiple generations.
If the upcoming World Cup is truly his farewell, Messi will leave the Argentina national team not only as its greatest icon, but also as a global legend who redefined football.
