The day that Argentines and football fans least expected has arrived.

Lionel Messi, the record winner of the ‘Ballon d'Or’ and a nominee for the 2026 edition, is bringing his career as a footballer and captain of the Argentina national team to a close.

Without a doubt, one of the most fascinating eras of recent times is coming to an end. An indelible legacy.

Over more than two decades, the star from Rosario has not only won the most coveted titles on the planet, but has also set statistical records that seem unattainable.

Below, we review Messi’s 10 most impressive records for the national team:

1. All-time top scorer for the Argentina national team

For years, Gabriel Batistuta’s record (56 goals) seemed unbeatable. Messi not only broke that record, but took it to unprecedented heights by scoring 125 goals in 207 official matches for his country.

2. Argentina’s all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifiers

In the qualifiers, Hernán Crespo held the national record with 19 goals. Messi doubled that figure, raising the tally to 36 goals in 72 South American qualifying matches played for Argentina.

3. Argentina’s all-time leading assist provider

His impact on the game goes far beyond finishing. Messi reached 68 assists and became the all-time leading assist provider in the history of the ‘Albiceleste’, surpassing Diego Maradona’s record.

4. Most World Cup appearances

Having featured at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and the 2022 and 2026 World Cups in Qatar, the Rosario-born player became the only Argentine to have played in six World Cups.

5. Most World Cup matches played

His consistency across six tournaments enabled him to set the all-time record for the competition. Messi concluded his World Cup career with 34 matches played, surpassing the previous record of 25 matches held by Germany’s Lothar Matthäus.

6. Most minutes played in World Cup history

The consistency of the number 10 at the World Cup is reflected in his time on the pitch. By the end of his participation in 2026, the captain had accumulated a total of 3,055 minutes played at World Cups, the highest tally in the competition’s history.

7. The captain with the most World Cup appearances

Leadership on the biggest stage. Messi tops the all-time list of players with the most appearances as captain at the World Cup, reaching 27 appearances as captain, ahead of figures such as Rafael Márquez and Diego Maradona.

8. Most World Cup wins

Messi’s presence at major tournaments has been accompanied by historic victories. The forward holds the record for the most matches won at World Cups, with a total of 23 victories across his six appearances.

9. Second-highest all-time goalscorer at World Cups

10. Most appearances for the Argentina national team

With 207 official matches for the national team, Messi bids farewell as the player with the most appearances in the history of the Argentina national team, far surpassing the records of Javier Mascherano (147), Ángel Di María (145), Javier Zanetti (145) and Nicolás Otamendi (139).

In short, Messi’s time as a player for the Argentina national team has come to an end, giving way to his status as an undisputed legend.

Argentine football will surely never be the same again from this day forward, but the legacy of the man from Rosario will live on forever.

Thank you for all the football, Leo.