Lionel Messi, one of the greatest players in the football world, has said goodbye to international football forever. In the final match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Argentina had to face a close 0-1 defeat at the hands of Spain, which proved to be the last match of Messi’s brilliant career. This title match was played on 20 July 2026 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA. It was such a strange coincidence that this was the same ground which saw Messi’s heart broken twice in the span of exactly a decade and both times he took the historic decision of retirement from this very ground.

Year 2016: When I took my first retirement with tears

Exactly ten years ago, in 2016, the final of the Copa America Centenario was played in the same MetLife Stadium. After losing in that title match, 29-year-old Messi was extremely heartbroken and with tears in his eyes he made a shocking announcement of quitting international football. Despite all the achievements he had achieved in club football up to that point, there was immense pressure on him due to the defeats in the 2014 World Cup final and consecutive Copa America title matches. Then Messi had said with a heavy heart that he tried his best but luck was not on his side. However, due to the special request and love of millions of fans around the world, he came back and fulfilled all his unfulfilled dreams by winning the 2021 Copa America and the historic 2022 FIFA World Cup for the country.

Year 2026: Farewell as a legend and champion

Exactly a decade later, in the year 2026, history repeated itself in the same MetLife Stadium. His golden career ended with a 0-1 defeat in the World Cup title match against Spain, but this time there was a world of difference in the circumstances and stature. While in 2016 he left the field feeling incomplete and disappointed, in 2026 he has left the field as the world’s biggest football legend and the champion who won the World Cup for the country. Messi’s retirement marks the end of a golden era of football, which sports lovers will never forget.