Lionel Messi and Argentina: A love story that changed international football forever
There are several love stories in sports that strike a chord with fans. In cricket, a famous example would be the journey Sachin Tendulkar had with the Indian team. You can also check out Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers as next on the list. The association between Michael Schumacher and Ferrari truly defined the sport of Formula 1.
Then comes the story of Lionel Messi and Argentina. We live in an age where football stars are often portrayed as symbols of the clubs they play for. It was the same with Messi for a long time because he was synonymous with Barcelona. But if you wanted a script for a love story, then it’s the 39-year-old and the Albiceleste.
And now it’s over Messi has announced his retirement from international football and said that we will not see him in the famous colors of Argentina again.
As the famous dialogue says, this is a story that had drama, emotion and a bit of tragedy in it. But in the end, he is the one who changed international football forever.
‘SHE NEVER STOPPED BEING ARGENTINE’
As the young Messi slowly turned around in Spain, his international allegiance was yet to be decided. He was a young boy from Rosario who went to a foreign country to make a name for himself in football.
Spain fielded a strong field to pick them out as their golden generation was a few years away from the start of their reign over international football.
News reached Argentina and the federation began to assert itself. But in the end, it always seemed like Messi had his heart set on one thing. To represent Argentina.
“I never stopped being Argentinian and I never wanted to. I feel very proud to be Argentinian even after I left there. I was clear about that from a young age and I never wanted to change,” Messi said.
And the signs were there from the moment he started donning the Argentina jersey. Just less than a month before his senior debut, Messi played an integral role in the team that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Netherlands 2005. He scored a tournament-high six goals – including both in the 2-1 final win over Nigeria – and won the Golden Boot and Ballon d’Or.
But the senior debut ended with a bit of sadness. In August 2005, Messi stepped on the scene to play for Argentina against Hungary and was off within 47 seconds after seeing a red card.
However, that’s why some love stories are special. The beginning will never be smooth.
The first of 125 goals for Argentina came in his sixth start. And there was beauty in that. A now iconic cut to the left and he curled the ball into the back of the net. 2006, the day Messi’s great and famous Argentine chapter began. (Photo: Reuters)
The odyssey continued and this time on the global stage when Jose Pekermen got him on a plane to Germany for the 2006 World Cup.
And against Serbia and Montenegro, Messi marked his presence on the big World Cup stage with a goal. As Argentina bowed out in the quarter-finals, Messi was ready to give his love his first gift.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he played a big role in his side winning the Olympic gold medal. Love soon followed from the Albiceleste faithful. Messi became the heart and soul of Argentine football in no time. (Photo: Reuters)
They handed him the No. 10 jersey and made him the heir to the great Maradona. And the man himself gave it to him.
“I remember Diego telling me he wanted to give me the shirt he was wearing, that he saw me ready to wear it and that it was time,” Messi said at the time.
THE PAIN OF ENDLESS LOVE
The problem with love sometimes is that even if you can give it your all, it doesn’t always give you back what you want. It was the same with Messi and Argentina.
The pain started in 2007 when he saw his favorite side beat Brazil in the Copa America final. By then, Messi was given the armband and the responsibility to inspire Argentina’s golden era.
But another Copa America shame followed in the form of an early exit. Then came the big one. World Cup Final 2014. Argentina was beaten by Germany in the final and Messi collected the Ballon d’Or, but his face at the time said it all.
While accolades and honors at club level came with Barcelona, Messi’s international career in Argentina remained lackluster.
Argentina came agonizingly close to ending their long wait for Copa America glory in 2015 and again in 2016 when the tournament celebrated its 100th anniversary with a special edition. Messi was outstanding during both campaigns and even passed Gabriel Batistuta to become Argentina’s record goalscorer at the tournament in 2016. Yet, despite his individual brilliance, the story ended in heartbreak on both occasions as Chile prevailed on penalties in back-to-back finals. Messi’s journey with Argentina has been denied several times, mostly in the final. (Photo: Reuters)
After losing the 2016 Copa America, Messi said he had done all he could and the chapter with Argentina was over.
“For me the national team is over,” he said. “I did what I could. It hurts not to be the champion.”
But there is a problem with true love. You can never stay away from it. A month after his first retirement, Messi was back in Albiceleste colours.
MESSI WINS IT ALL FOR ARGENTINA
While Messi’s second coming to Argentina was not an immediate success, things were set to change in 2021. Under the leadership of Lionel Scaloni, Argentina decided to create a team for Messi. One that was going to put their bodies at risk for their protagonist.
The results came soon. 2021 marked the beginning of Argentina’s rise in world football. During the Copa America 2021 campaign in Brazil, Messi scored four goals and assisted five. He wasn’t at his best in the final, but Angel di Maria scored the winner and Argentina handed him his first international trophy. 2021 Copa America, the start of the glory days. (Photo: Reuters)
The Finalissima soon followed in 2022 just before the FIFA World Cup.
Then came the trip to Qatar.
The start was not great as Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia. But then Messi came through. He took complete control of Argentina’s campaign in the knockout stages. He produced a brilliant individual performance to beat Mexico before finding the net against Australia in the round of 16. Against the Netherlands and Croatia, he contributed a goal and an assist in each game, leading Argentina to another World Cup final. In 2022, Messi finally got to see the World Cup. (Photo: Reuters)
A superb piece against France went down as one of the greatest finals in the history of the tournament. Messi scored twice as the two teams battled to a thrilling 3-3 draw after extra time. He then calmly converted a penalty into a shootout as Argentina finally secured the World Cup trophy – the prize that has eluded him throughout his career and meant more to him than any other.
Another Copa America trophy was added in 2024 and the love story was at its peak.
THE FINAL CHAPTER
Every story has an ending and for Messi and Argentina it was the 2026 World Cup. Many believed that the Argentine maestro might have retired in Qatar, but he wanted to lift the trophy one more time.
He had his personal battles off the field with his father Jorge being hospitalized. But Messi once again took charge of things on the pitch.
A hat-trick against Algeria kicked things off and Argentina’s march looked largely unstoppable. They needed to dig deep against Cabo Verde and Egypt and Messi was there to show his team how to overcome adversity.
He scripted England’s semi-final victory but with two assists, he fell only in the final. Messi’s clutch performance against England at the 2026 World Cup will remain iconic for generations. (Photo: Reuters)
Once his father died, Messi did not feel the same connection to football. And ultimately, it was the challenge that made him pursue his career.
“It was a decision that hurt and it still hurts deeply, but I understand that now is the right time. I swear that I always gave everything – not only during the last few years when we won everything, but also before. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt to bring you joy and to make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”
“There is little time left and the chapters are closing and this is the one that hurts a lot. I love, loved and always will love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had; I have nothing left to give. Besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve their opportunity.” Messi couldn’t end his international journey with the World Cup, but did he really need one? (Photo: Reuters)
“I’m leaving with peace and pride that I gave you and my teammates moments we could only dream of. It was crazy to experience it all with you. I love you!” said an emotional Messi.
His parting words probably sum up what Argentina meant to him. Messi could have gone the other way, even retired early and never come back.
But for him, his love for Argentina overcame everything and gave him everything.
“Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Vamos, Argentina!”
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
01 Sep 2026 06:53 IST