By Luke Essig, Marketing Manager

 Argentinian soccer legend Lionel Messi retired from their national team last week following a World Cup Final defeat to Spain in July and the recent loss of his father, Jorge. Messi, the little boy from Rosario, Argentina, had felt that he had given his all to his country. At 39-years-old, his playing career looks to be coming to a close.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or, French for “Golden Ball”, and given to the world’s best player every year, winner spent the first 16 years of his Argentina career without a trophy. He and Argentina lost three Copa America finals. He was seen as a massive international failure. Runners-up in the 2014 World Cup, it was thought that Argentina could not win the big one. This brutal run of losses and disappointment came to an end in July 2021, however, when Argentina triumphed in the Copa America final over Brazil 1-0.

Their next trophy of the Messi era came in June 2022 when Argentina beat Italy in the Finnalisima, the champions of South America’s Copa America against the champions of Europe’s European Championship.

In Dec. 2022, the entire trajectory of Argentinian football changed. Their 2022 World Cup in Qatar campaign began with a shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia. The massive underdogs made a statement in the opening match, and it worried Messi fans that this would be the end of his last chance to win a World Cup.

This was obviously not the case.

Argentina would end up winning the rest of the six games that they played. Messi would score seven goals and assist three goals in seven games and lead Argentina to a hard fought World Cup final.

Argentina was matched up with a dominant France side. The defending World Cup champions were an international powerhouse. They beat two of the best sides on their path to the final in England and Morocco, and just Argentina stood in their way from back-to-back championships.

In what is hailed as one of the greatest games of soccer ever played, Argentina beat France in penalties, lifting the best trophy in all of sports. Messi took home the Golden Ball, and his campaign greatly helped him as he would end up winning his eighth Ballon d’Or.

Argentina would go on to win the 2024 Copa America, and it would position them well to be some of the favorites in the 2026 World Cup.

A dominant 2026 campaign would sadly come to an end when they lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 final. Messi let his emotions fly, bawling on the field while Spain hoisted the trophy. The fans chanted for him. With black armbands supporting the poor health that Lionel’s father was in, the look on his face said that this would be his goodbye. While it was bittersweet, it was a beautiful farewell to Argentinian soccer.

Messi’s career is not over, however. He retains his crucial role in Inter Miami’s attack, and will continue to play for them for the time being. With 18 goals and 10 assists in 20 appearances this season, his playing days are certainly not over. After his contract runs out at the end of the 2028 MLS season, he will be 41 years old, and it will be the world’s spectacle to see what Messi’s next step is.