Messi and Argentina approach a night of farewells

Messi and Argentina are approaching a night of farewells, presented as the final chapter of an extraordinary story. The significance of the moment comes into focus through the path the captain has taken with his national team, from his first appearances to the titles he had long sought.

Messi made his first appearance for Argentina in August 2005 against Hungary, in a match that did not go as he had hoped. Less than a year later, he was called up for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. In Argentina’s second group match, against Serbia and Montenegro, he came on in the 74th minute with his team leading by three goals. Four minutes later, he had set up Hernán Crespo before scoring the sixth goal himself.

Across more than two decades with Argentina, Messi developed from a young talent carrying supporters’ expectations into the national team’s captain and all-time leading scorer. His journey also featured missed opportunities. After Argentina’s quarter-final exits at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, the prospect of a first world title arose in Brazil in 2014. Messi scored four goals and provided an assist during the tournament.

The disappointments continued in the Copa América. In 2015, Argentina lost the final to Chile on penalties after a goalless match. A year later, the 2016 Copa América final again pitted the two teams against each other. Messi missed his penalty. Yet another ending remained possible: Argentina later faced Brazil in the Copa América final, giving Messi another chance to end the long wait.

Winning the Copa América meant more than lifting a trophy; it transformed the relationship between Messi, the national team and its supporters. A year later, Argentina and Messi won the Finalissima against Italy at Wembley. And in the World Cup final, Messi scored twice in a match that finished 3-3 after extra time, while Kylian Mbappé hit a hat-trick. As this farewell evening approaches, the length and turns of that journey lend the announced parting particular weight.