New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- Lionel Messi finally drew curtains to his 21-year long international career as the Argentina great announced his retirement from national duty on Monday, leaving thousands of fans globally in tears. Messi's international retirement meant that the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19 was his last in Argentina colours.

Having made his Argentina debut in 2005 as an 18-year-old under Jose Nestor Pekerman, Messi went on to represent Argentina 207 times, scoring 125 goals and leave as the all-time highest goal scorer for the national side. For Argentina, Messi won two Copa Americas in 2021 and 2024.

The pinnacle of Messi's career came in 2022, when he led Argentina to th...