Messi's 10-Year Odyssey: How the Argentine Rewrote His International Legacy

Lionel Messi first retired on June 27, 2016, heartbroken after three consecutive final defeats — two Copa Americas and a World Cup. He returned, declaring he loved the shirt too much to quit. What followed was a World Cup in Qatar, two Copa Americas, and a Finalissima — before a 1-0 loss to Spain in 2026 brought his international story to its close.

'I love this country and this shirt too much.'