Goals, Records, Tears: Lionel Messi's Most Iconic Career Moments Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after a glittering career spanning over two decades. A look back at his historic milestones, records, and iconic moments. Football legend Lionel Messi has officially retired from international football, bringing the curtain down on a glorious chapter with Argentina that lasted for over 20 years. The 39-year-old forward, who is contracted with Inter Miami until 2028, made the announcement on Monday. In an emotional tribute to his father, he had previously hinted at the twilight of his career, admitting that he was unsure how much longer he could keep playing the sport that defined his entire life. Capping off a phenomenal journey that culminated with World Cup glory in 2022, Messi scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for his country, making him Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player. Across his illustrious club and international career with Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Inter Miami, and Argentina, he has netted a staggering combined total of 921 goals. BBC Sport takes a detailed look back at the most defining and unforgettable moments of his remarkable professional career. The El Clasico Hat-Trick and the Birth of a Legend One of the earliest defining moments of Messi's career arrived on the grandest stage possible during an El Clasico fixture. At just 19 years of age, he scored all three of Barcelona's goals in a thrilling 3-3 draw against arch-rivals Real Madrid on 10 March 2007. Staged at the Camp Nou, this performance featured a breathtaking last-minute goal where he danced past multiple defenders before slotting home, marking his first career hat-trick and instantly turning him into a household name. Just over a month after that historic night, Messi produced an individual effort that arguably remained unmatched throughout the rest of his career. During a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Getafe on 18 April 2007, which ended in a 5-2 victory, he embarked on a mesmerizing run reminiscent of his compatriot Diego Maradona's legendary goal against England in the 1986 World Cup. Messi collected the ball in his own half, wove past roughly five defenders, rounded the goalkeeper, and calmly finished into the back of the net. Conquering Europe and Breaking All-Time Records Though it sounds absurd in hindsight, back in 2009 certain English pundits and fans questioned whether Messi could replicate his brilliance against Premier League opposition in Europe, having failed to score in his first 10 Champions League appearances against English sides. Those doubts were emphatically silenced in the 2009 Champions League final against Manchester United, billed as the ultimate showdown between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, when Messi soared high inside the penalty box to head home Xavi's cross. Two years later, he scored in another final victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's squad to secure his third of four Champions League winners' medals. Messi's capacity for prolific scoring reached new heights when he put Arsenal to the sword in the 2010 Champions League quarter-final, netting four goals in a 4-1 home leg triumph. The pick of the goals was a delicate chip over goalkeeper Manuel Almunia to cap off his hat-trick. He followed this with a five-goal masterclass two years later against Bayer Leverkusen in a 7-1 round-of-16 victory, cementing his status as the second-top scorer in Champions League history with 129 goals, trailing only Ronaldo. On 20 March 2012, at the tender age of 24, Messi shattered Barcelona's long-standing goalscoring record in spectacular fashion by scoring a hat-trick in a 5-3 win over Granada. With his first goal, he equaled Cesar Rodriguez's 60-year-old record of 232 goals, surpassed it with his second, and extended the milestone with a third. By the time his storied spell at Camp Nou ended in 2021, he had pushed that staggering tally to 672 goals for the Catalan club. Later that same year, Messi achieved a statistical anomaly that required multiple double-checks to believe. On 22 December 2012, during a 3-1 win away at Real Valladolid, he netted his 91st goal of the calendar year. Comprising 79 goals for Barcelona and 12 for Argentina across 69 total appearances for club and country, this monumental feat earned him an unprecedented fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or award, despite winning only the Copa del Rey that year. La Liga Supremacy and the Bernabeu Shirt Celebration Messi's penchant for milestone hat-tricks struck again on 22 November 2014 during a 5-1 rout of Sevilla, where he surpassed Telmo Zarra's 1955 record of 251 goals to become the highest scorer in La Liga history. After equaling the mark with a signature free-kick, he broke and extended the record with two more goals, ultimately finishing his Spanish league career with 474 goals, far ahead of Ronaldo's 311 for Real Madrid. One of the most cinematic moments of his club career unfolded on 23 April 2017 at the Santiago Bernabeu. With the score tied 2-2 in injury time against Real Madrid, Messi swept home a first-time strike from the edge of the box to snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory. It served as his 500th Barcelona goal, sent his side to the top of the league table, and prompted his iconic celebration where he removed his jersey and held it aloft before the stunned Madrid faithful. The Emotional Barcelona Exit and International Glory The unthinkable materialized in August 2021 when Messi was forced to leave Barcelona on a free transfer. After 21 years, 672 goals, and 35 trophies, the club's financial constraints under La Liga salary regulations made it impossible to register his new contract. During an emotionally charged farewell press conference, a tearful Messi expressed his devastation, noting that he and his family had expected to remain at their home. After being linked with Manchester City, he opted to join Paris St-Germain. Soon after, the elusive international breakthrough arrived. On 11 July 2021, at the age of 34, Messi secured his first senior international trophy as Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final at the Maracana. Named player of the tournament after scoring four goals, a weeping Messi collapsed to the turf at the final whistle before being hoisted into the air by his ecstatic teammates. He would secure a second Copa America title three years later. The pinnacle of his career arrived at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, silencing any lingering debates about his status as the greatest of all time. Following a dramatic 3-3 draw against France in arguably the greatest World Cup final in history, Messi converted his penalty in the shootout and scored twice during the match. Having netted in every single knockout round for a total of seven tournament goals, he was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament. Messi claimed two more Ballon d'Or awards after leaving Barcelona, one with Paris St-Germain and another while playing for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, expanding his record tally to eight. His final Ballon d'Or arrived in October 2023 following his World Cup triumph and after helping Inter Miami lift the Leagues Cup for their maiden trophy. Concluding his international journey at the 2026 World Cup at age 39, Messi scored eight tournament goals to bring his career World Cup tally to 21, though Argentina's campaign ultimately ended in defeat against Spain in the final, closing a legendary chapter on world football's biggest stage. What this means for you Lionel Messi's retirement from international football and the culmination of his storied milestones carry profound implications for the global sports landscape and football enthusiasts worldwide. • Global Football Landscape: Messi's departure marks the definitive end of an era in international football, prompting an outpouring of emotional tributes from fans and sports analysts across nations. • Club Football & Major League Soccer: Inter Miami and MLS will continue to capitalize on his commercial pulling power and global fanbase until his contract concludes in 2028. • Sporting Legacy: His benchmark achievements, including 921 total career goals and a record eight Ballon d'Or awards, establish an unprecedented standard for future generations of athletes. • Merchandise and Fan Engagement: The announcement has triggered a surge in demand for commemorative memorabilia, jerseys, and historical content celebrating his career milestones. • Inspirational Impact: His journey from overcoming early career doubts to achieving ultimate international success serves as a definitive blueprint for aspiring professional athletes globally. Questions & Answers 1. How old is Lionel Messi? Lionel Messi is 39 years old. 2. Which club is Lionel Messi currently signed with? Messi is signed with Inter Miami until 2028. 3. How many goals did Messi score for Argentina? Messi scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina. 4. What is his total combined career goal tally? He has scored a combined total of 921 goals across his spells with Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Inter Miami, and Argentina. 5. How many Ballon d'Or awards has Messi won? Messi has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards. 6. How many goals did he score for Barcelona? He scored a total of 672 goals for Barcelona before departing in 2021. 7. When did Messi win his first senior international trophy? He won his first senior international trophy on 11 July 2021 when Argentina defeated Brazil in the Copa America final. 8. Why did Messi leave Barcelona in 2021? He had to leave because Barcelona could not afford to honour his new contract due to La Liga's strict salary limit rules. Inspiration & Lessons Lionel Messi's legendary football journey offers invaluable lessons in resilience, adaptability, and an unyielding commitment to excellence under immense pressure. • Overcoming Early Adversity: Despite facing physical and medical hurdles during his youth, Messi persevered through strict treatment regimens to fulfill his athletic potential. • Sustained Consistency: Maintaining elite performance levels across two decades highlights the importance of daily discipline and professional focus over fleeting talent. • Embracing Major Transitions: Adapting seamlessly to new clubs and cultural environments after leaving his lifelong home at Barcelona underscores the necessity of embracing career changes. • Resilience Through Setbacks: Returning from previous international disappointments to finally capture the World Cup in 2022 demonstrates that persistence ultimately outweighs past failures. https://trendkia.com/en/latin-america/goals-records-tears-lionel-messi-s-most-iconic-career-moments-25368 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.