How retiring Messi's Argentina glory years almost never happened
Retold by Oddsrama · 31 August 2026
Lionel Messi's retirement from international football this week closes a chapter that, frankly, almost never opened again. The Argentine legend finished as his nation's all-time leading goalscorer and capped player, having lifted the World Cup in Qatar 2022 and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024. But none of that success—none of it—would have happened if Messi hadn't reversed a shocking decision made back in 2016.
On 26 June 2016, just days after Argentina lost the Copa America final to Chile on penalties, a devastated Messi announced he was done with international football. At 29 years old, with 113 caps under his belt, he'd had enough. Four tournament finals lost—the 2014 World Cup, plus Copa America defeats in 2007, 2015, and now 2016—had worn him down completely. Despite being widely regarded as the world's best player at club level, the weight of Argentina's failures had broken him. "For me, the national team is over," he said, tears flowing. "I've done all I can." The criticism stung too—even Diego Maradona had questioned whether Messi had the character to lead. Back then, comparisons to the 1986 World Cup hero made Messi look incomplete.
What happened next proved pivotal. Within six weeks, Messi did a complete U-turn, announcing in August 2016 that he would continue playing for Argentina out of love for his country. That decision fundamentally altered football history. Over the following decade, he added 94 more caps and 70 goals, collecting four major trophies in the process and becoming arguably football's greatest ever player.
For betting purposes, Messi's willingness to persevere after 2016 showed mental resilience that translated into consistent performances when it mattered most. His ability to overcome self-doubt and deliver in knockout tournaments—especially the 2022 World Cup run—made backing Argentina an increasingly profitable proposition whenever he played.
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