Fact box: A look at former Argentina forward Lionel Messi's career

Spain's World Cup final win denied Messi a fairytale farewell, but his status among football's greats was secure

Argentina's Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday. Following are facts about Messi's playing career.

Barcelona

Messi joined Barcelona at 13 years old in 2000 and shone in the youth ranks before making his senior debut at 16 in a friendly against Porto in 2003.

He made his La Liga debut in October 2004 and scored his ​first league goal the following May in a match against Albacete.

From 2004 to 2021, he won 10 La Liga titles, seven Spanish Cups, seven Spanish ‌Super Cups, four Champions Leagues, three UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups.

Messi also played a key role as Barca claimed six trophies in the calendar year of 2009 and produced scintillating performances in their treble-winning 2014-15 season.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his first goal in FIFA CUP on July19.REUTERS

As another milestone of his career, he completed 2012 with 91 goals in all competitions, a record for a calendar year, and smashed La Liga's scoring record for one season in 2011-12 with 50 goals.

After Barcelona went trophyless in 2019-20, the ​club captain expressed his desire to leave but decided to fulfill his contract until 2021.

Messi wanted to stay with Barca but the club said they could not re-sign ​him due to economic and structural obstacles.

Read : Messi announces retirement from Argentina national team

He left Barcelona in August 2021 as their all-time top scorer.

Paris St German

Lionel Messi joined PSG in August 2021.

he won a Ligue 1 title in his debut season but managed just 11 goals in all competitions.

Also won the 2022 Trophee des Champions before claiming another Ligue 1 title in 2022-23.

Inter Miami

Messi Joined Major League Soccer's Inter Miami in July 2023 and captained them to a Leagues Cup title, their first-ever trophy.

He also guided Miami to the 2024 Supporters' Shield award.

He became the fastest ​player in MLS history to reach 40 league goals in 2025 and led Miami to their first league championship.

Messi Surpassed Hungarian Ferenc Puskas to become the all-time leader in career assists across all competitions in 2025.

Argentina

He Led Argentina to the 2005 World Youth Championship title, scoring two penalties in a 2-1 victory over Nigeria.

Messi also made his senior debut as a substitute in a friendly against Hungary in August 2005 but was sent off after ​less than a minute for elbowing an opponent who pulled his shirt.

He played only a bit-part role at the 2006 World Cup. Argentina were knocked out in the quarter-finals.

Messi also led Argentina ​to the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

However, he failed to score at the 2010 World Cup. Argentina exited in the quarter-finals.

He also captained Argentina to the 2014 World Cup final, where they lost 1-0 ‌to Germany. ⁠Messi, who scored four goals at the finals, won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

Lionel Messi played in his second Copa America final for Argentina in 2015, which they lost on penalties to Chile.

As a feather in his cap, he scored a hat trick in 18 minutes after coming off the bench in Argentina's 5-0 win over Panama in the 2016 Centenary Copa America.

He set a record of 55 goals for Argentina when he scored in the 4-0 win over the U.S. in the semi-finals.

He was on the losing side after a penalty shootout defeat by Chile in the centenary final and said ​he was retiring from internationals.

Messi returned to the ​national team in August 2016 and helped ⁠secure their spot in the 2018 World Cup with a hat-trick against Ecuador in the last game of the qualifiers.

He recorded one goal and two assists at the 2018 World Cup as Argentina were knocked out in the round of 16.

He won the 2021 Copa America to end ​the nation's 28-year trophy drought and was named the player of the tournament, contributing to nine of Argentina's 12 goals.

Lionel Messi also guided Argentina to ​another victory over Italy ⁠at the 2022 Finalissima.

At the 2022 World Cup, Messi scored twice in the final to help beat France as Argentina lifted their first World Cup in 36 years. Became the first player to win the Golden Ball twice after recording seven goals and three assists.

The legend reached 100 international goals in 2023.

He won the Copa America in 2024 and later that year became the all-time top assist-provider in ⁠men's international ​soccer.

He also netted twice against Austria at the 2026 World Cup to become the tournament's all-time leading scorer with 18 ​goals. Added three more for a total of 21 but was surpassed by France's Kylian Mbappe.

He produced eight goals and four assists to guide Argentina to the final, where they lost 1-0 in extra time to Spain.

Lionel Messi became the second ​player to feature in three World Cup finals and the oldest outfield player in the global final.