Lionel Messi said goodbye to the Argentina National Team

• Lionel Messi played his final match for the Argentina National Team on October 6, 2026, at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

• The captain took part in seven editions of the CONMEBOL Copa América™, from Venezuela 2007 to United States 2024.

• Messi won the competition in 2021 and 2024, the last two editions he played with La Albiceleste.

Lionel Messi played his final match for the Argentina National Team on October 6, 2026. At the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, the number 10 brought more than two decades with La Albiceleste to an end.

His journey with the senior national team officially began in 2005 and ended after 208 appearances, 126 goals and 68 assists. Messi said goodbye as Argentina's all-time appearance leader and top scorer.

A fundamental part of that story was written in the CONMEBOL Copa América™. From his first appearance in Venezuela 2007 to his last title in United States 2024, Messi played in seven editions of the competition and lifted the trophy twice.

From Venezuela 2007 to United States 2024: Messi's seven CONMEBOL Copa América™ appearances

Messi played in the continental competition for the first time at Venezuela 2007.

From then on, he participated in seven editions: 2007, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024.

His journey spanned different generations of the Argentina National Team and began with the 2007 edition, when La Albiceleste reached the Final.

Argentina 2011, Chile 2015, the CONMEBOL Copa América Centenario 2016™, Brazil 2019 and, finally, the two editions that brought him his titles: Brazil 2021 and United States 2024.

Brazil 2021: Messi's first title with the senior national team

After six appearances in the competition, Messi won the CONMEBOL Copa América™ for the first time in 2021.

Argentina reached the Final, where they faced Brazil at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

La Albiceleste won and lifted the continental trophy once again. For Messi, it also marked his first title with the Argentina senior national team.

The image of the captain lifting the trophy at the Maracanã became one of the defining moments of his international career.

The title also opened a successful run of trophies for Argentina, which continued with the Finalissima 2022 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

United States 2024: Messi's final CONMEBOL Copa América™

Three years later, Messi returned to the competition as Argentina's captain.

The CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™ would be his seventh and final appearance in the tournament.

Argentina reached the Final once again, facing Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

La Albiceleste successfully defended their title and Messi lifted the CONMEBOL Copa América™ trophy for the second consecutive time.

As a result, his final two appearances in the competition ended in the same way: as champion.

Lionel Messi's numbers in the CONMEBOL Copa América™

In addition to his two titles, Messi's journey left several marks on the history of the competition.

The Argentine played 39 matches across seven editions, making him the player with the most appearances in CONMEBOL Copa América™ history.

He also scored 14 goals throughout his appearances.

Lionel Messi in the CONMEBOL Copa América™

Editions played: 7

Matches: 39

Goals: 14

Titles: 2

Champion: 2021 and 2024

His journey began at Venezuela 2007 and ended 17 years later at United States 2024.

From his first Final to two consecutive titles

Messi's relationship with the CONMEBOL Copa América™ also offers a journey through much of his history with Argentina.

In 2007, he played in his first Final in the competition. He then reached the decisive match again in 2015 and 2016.

The title that had eluded him finally arrived in 2021, in Brazil.

In 2024, Argentina defended their title and were crowned champions once again, this time against Colombia. It was Messi's final appearance in the competition and earned him his second consecutive continental trophy.

Thus, the player who began his CONMEBOL Copa América™ journey at the age of 20 ended his story in the tournament as a two-time champion.

The end of more than two decades with Argentina

On October 6, 2026, at the Monumental Stadium, Lionel Messi played his final match for the Argentina National Team.

It brought to an end an international journey that had officially begun in 2005 and included six FIFA World Cups and seven editions of the CONMEBOL Copa América™, as well as South American Qualifiers and other international tournaments.

In the continental competition, his story spanned 17 years, 39 matches, 14 goals, seven appearances and two titles.

From Venezuela 2007 to United States 2024, Messi was a key figure across different eras of the Argentina National Team.

His final image in a CONMEBOL Copa América™ was also one of the most significant moments of that journey: as captain and champion, lifting the continental trophy for the second consecutive time.

Source: OPTA and AFP.com