A legendary career by the numbers

AP:

Lionel Messi has graced a football field for Argentina for the last time.

Widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, Messi announced his retirement from international football yesterday, bringing an end to 21 years of service to his country.

Here’s a by-the-numbers look at his career with the Albiceleste:

One

Messi won the World Cup once, lifting the trophy in Qatar in 2022. He also reached the final on two other occasions, in 2014 and 2026, losing to Germany and Spain, respectively.

Six

The number of World Cups in which Messi played (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026), tying him with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo for the most appearances in the tournament.

21

Messi scored 21 goals across those six World Cups. That places him second only to France’s Kylian Mbappé, who has 22 goals from just three tournaments.

39

Messi was 39 when he announced his retirement from international football, 21 years after making his debut for Argentina in a friendly against Hungary in August 2005. He lasted barely a minute before being sent off for elbowing an opponent.

125

Messi scored 125 international goals, more than double the total of any other Argentina player. The previous record holder was Gabriel Batistuta, who netted 54 goals in 78 appearances between 1991 and 2002. Messi’s tally is second only to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 146 goals on the all-time scoring list in men’s international football.

207

The total number of international appearances made by Messi. It is an Argentina record, though not the overall men’s international mark. Once again, he trails only Cristiano Ronaldo, who has played 233 matches for Portugal.