What are the best moments of Lionel Messi's Argentina career?
A story that started with a rush to schedule a U-20 friendly and make sure Messi didn't have his head turned by Spain ended up lasting more than two decades. From that moment until his official retirement from the national team on Monday. Aug. 31, he played in six World Cup tournaments, won the Olympic gold medal and also delivered huge goals in various editions of the Copa América, South America's continental championship, in World Cup qualification matches and other moments with the Albiceleste needed him.
There are plenty of moments to choose from - more than 120 goals, numerous wins and, of course, those trophy lifts.
Here are our top 10 moments of Messi's career representing his
country:
10. A golazo or two against Brazil always counts
It was only a friendly, but Messi scored one of the best goals in his Argentina career with the score knotted at three goals each in a 2012 contest against rival Brazil.
He took the ball near the halfway stripe, beat a defender on the sideline, shifted to his left foot as he got past another player in a yellow shirt and lashed home a goal from outside the box.
It was his third goal of the match, completed the hat trick and sending the Albiceleste home with a 4-3 win over their South American neighbor.
9. The blessing from the original No. 10
At the 2010 World Cup, Argentina legend Diego Armando Maradona was the manager of the national team. While Messi didn't have his strongest tournament, he was given the blessing of the player who was then Argentina's most important and most famous soccer icon.
Messi had three assists in the tournament, with Argentina exiting in disappointing fashion in the quarterfinals after a 4-0 loss to Germany. More important for Messi were the moments he spent alongside Maradona at this tournament, part of 24 matches in which the legend managed Messi.
8. Messi earns the gold medal in China
While the Olympics aren't the pinnacle of men's soccer, the gold medal at the 2008 Games was the culmination of many youth triumphs for Messi and his generation of Argentina teammates.
Argentina went on a remarkable run to the gold, with Messi standing out alongside Juan Roman Riquelme and Javier Mascherano, who attended as the overaged players selected along with the U-23 roster.
It was one of the first huge moments on the international stage for Messi, who was 21 when he got the medal around his neck.
7. Messi double sets Argentina up for 2014 World Cup success
Argentina wasn't able to lift the World Cup, but 2014 was a good tournament for Messi and the Albiceleste. The superstar had a number of strong games, but the most impressive may have been the final group game against Nigeria.
His first goal came via a shot off the post from Angel Di Maria, but the rebound was hardly a tap-in, as he arrived to smash it into the roof of the net. The second, from a free kick, was vintage Messi, a free kick that had the goalkeeper baffled.
6. Messi becomes all-time Argentina top scorer with stunner vs. Guzan
What do you do about this one?
Already up 1-0, Messi stood over a free kick and put it where no one could get it - certainly not U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan in the Copa América Centenario semifinal that Argentina would go on to win, 4-0.
The goal made Messi the all-time leading scorer for Argentina with 55 goals, passing Gabriel Batistuta. Messi has now more than doubled that total.
5. 'Que miras, bobo?' Messi shows fire after 2022 win over Netherlands
Often soft-spoken, the competitive side of Messi comes out between the lines. After comments from the Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal and some players rubbed Argentina the wrong way, Messi's intensity carried over into the post-match interview area shortly after his Man of the Match performance in a 2-2 draw decided by a shootout that Argentina won.
"What are you looking at, dope? Go over there," Messi said to a Dutch player as his post-match interview for Argentine TV was starting, prompting the Argentine reporter telling him "Calm down, Leo." It was a viral moment after a super match on the way to the title.
4. A title defense at long last as Messi wins Copa América - in front of fans
It wasn't as significant as his first major trophy, but with the 2021 Copa América taking place with heavy restrictions because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2024 Copa América in the United States gave Messi the chance to celebrate with Argentina fans in the Americas.
Messi was good in this tournament, but not at his absolute best, with Lautaro Martínez finishing as top scorer and James Rodriguez deservedly named best player in the tournament even after falling in the final 1-0.
But Messi being able to celebrate with fans and being part of the team of the tournament showed his influence, and it was clear what he meant to the national team during this run.
3. Messi wills Argentina to 2026 World Cup final with comeback after comeback
What was the defining Messi moment this World Cup? Every time you thought he had one, he produced another. The flurry of goals in the group stage, the push past upset-minded Cape Verde, the sheer will in Atlanta, both in the round of 16 against Egypt and the semifinal against England.
In the end, as he wrote in his retirement, the 39-year-old gave absolutely everything this summer. It wasn't enough to lift the trophy, but it nearly was. That in itself solidified his legacy.
2. Breaking the curse and lifting Copa América in 2021
The clock was ticking for Messi to win silverware with Argentina. It wasn't a shoo-in in 2021, with a Copa América scheduled to be played in Colombia and Argentina quickly shuffled to Brazil amidst ongoing regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The celebrations weren't as joyous as those to come, with the number of fans heavily limited. Still, Messi was able to kiss what he'd always wanted to - a major trophy with Argentina, doing so after a tournament in which he had scored four times, earning the best player award and knowing he delivered his country a top prize.
1. Winning the World Cup in 2022
There is no doubt that the finest moment for Messi and Argentina was lifting the 2022 World Cup trophy after a thrilling final.
Messi scored twice and converted his penalty in the shootout, out-dueling Kylian Mbappe to deny France a title defense and to give Argentina a World Cup it had been waiting to celebrate since 1986. The third star forever will be associated with Messi, and while he couldn't put a fourth one on the shirt, his impact on the national team and the nation as a whole was solidified with this triumph.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The 10 best moments of Lionel Messi's Argentina career
