Messi ends Argentina career after 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain
· Sports · CBS Sports, BBC Sport, AFP
Lionel Messi played his final match for Argentina on October 6, concluding a 21-year international career that began with the 2005 Under-20 World Cup. Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, prompting Messi's retirement announcement weeks after his father Jorge's death. Messi won the 2022 World Cup, two Copa America titles (2021, 2024), and was named player of the tournament in 2022 before securing his last Ballon d'Or in 2023. He faced the 'next Maradona' comparison throughout his tenure but ultimately established his own legacy as Argentina's most decorated player.
Why it matters
Argentina's golden generation enters a post-Messi era, with the nation now looking to rebuild around new talent after the captain's retirement following his father's passing and the World Cup final defeat.
Read the original report — CBS Sports
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