Lionel Messi has given football fans countless reasons to celebrate, from his unforgettable years at Barcelona to leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022. But in 2026, one of the biggest chapters of his career has come to an emotional end: his journey with Argentina’s national team.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has also continued his career with Inter Miami and taken a major step into football ownership by acquiring Spanish club CD Eldense. Meanwhile, the relationship between Messi and Barcelona remains a popular topic among fans, especially as Lamine Yamal continues to develop into one of the game’s biggest stars.
As a football fan, I believe Messi’s story deserves more than a list of goals and trophies. His influence stretches across generations, clubs and countries. Here is what you need to know about Messi’s latest developments, career records, personal life and future in football.
Lionel Messi Argentina farewell: What happened in 2026?
Lionel Messi’s international career reached its conclusion in October 2026, following his announcement on 31 August that he was retiring from Argentina’s national team.
After more than two decades representing his country, Messi played his final international match against Benin on 6 October 2026 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Argentina won 3–0, with Messi scoring once and providing two assists.
The occasion was about more than the result. Argentina organised a special farewell to celebrate the captain who helped the country win the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa América.
FIFA reported that 85,000 spectators attended the emotional occasion. Messi’s family, former teammates and supporters were present as Argentina honoured the most influential player in its history.
Messi also shared an emotional message about what representing Argentina meant to him. He explained that he would give anything to keep playing for his country, showing how difficult it was to say goodbye to the national team.
For Argentina supporters, the farewell marked the end of an extraordinary era. For Messi, it closed a journey that included early disappointments, a brief international retirement in 2016, a return to the team and, finally, the trophies that had once seemed out of reach.
Argentina national team Lionel Messi tribute: How did Argentina honour him?
Argentina’s tribute celebrated Messi’s contribution to the national team rather than focusing only on his individual records.
Before the match against Benin, Messi received a remarkable welcome from the crowd. A giant Argentina shirt bearing his number 10 and the word “GRACIAS” – Spanish for “thank you” was displayed across the pitch.
The celebrations continued after the match with an emotional ceremony, music and a drone display. Messi’s family and former teammates joined supporters in celebrating his international career.
It was a fitting tribute to a player who had experienced both heartbreak and success in the Argentina shirt. He lost major finals before helping the country win the Copa América in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022.
FIFA’s coverage also highlighted his final appearance as a moment for the entire football community to reflect on his international achievements.
Lionel Messi international retirement: Why did he leave Argentina?
Messi announced his retirement from international football on 31 August 2026, at the age of 39.
His decision followed Argentina’s 1–0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Although Argentina missed out on the trophy, Messi had scored eight goals during the tournament and finished as the competition’s second-highest scorer.
In his retirement message, Messi wrote that he had given everything he could to the national team and acknowledged that younger players deserved opportunities to carry Argentina forward.
His decision ended a 21-year international journey that began in 2005. He had previously announced an international retirement in 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa América final to Chile, but he returned and eventually achieved the major honours he had been chasing.
This time, his retirement followed years of success and a World Cup final appearance. As of October 2026, he has not announced a retirement from club football.
Will Argentina retire Lionel Messi’s number 10 shirt?
While Argentina are free to name a squad without the no. 10 jersey for friendlies, it’s not allowed by FIFA to retire it completely for official matches. FIFA regulations stipulate that Argentina won’t be able to name their 2030 World Cup squad without the squad number.
The number carries enormous historical importance. Diego Maradona wore it, and Messi continued that tradition while becoming Argentina’s record goalscorer and one of its most decorated players.
Messi’s farewell tribute prominently featured the number 10. However, a tribute to his shirt number is not the same as an official decision to retire it.
Lionel Messi’s career goals: How many goals has he scored?
Lionel Messi has scored more than 900 official senior career goals for club and country, placing him among the most prolific goalscorers in football history.
His goals have come across several major stages of his career:
- Barcelona: Messi scored 672 goals for the club’s first team in official competitions, becoming Barcelona’s all-time leading goalscorer.
- Paris Saint-Germain: He scored 32 goals during his two seasons with the French club.
- Inter Miami: He has continued adding to his total since joining the MLS club in 2023.
- Argentina: Lionel Messi scored 126 goals in 208 international appearances for the Argentina national football team.
Goal Breakdown by Competition
- Friendlies: 55 goals (62 appearances)
- FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: 36 goals (72 appearances)
- FIFA World Cup: 21 goals (34 appearances)
- Copa América: 14 goals (39 appearances)
Key Milestones
- All-time top scorer for Argentina and South American men’s football.
- Second-highest men’s international goalscorer globally.
- 11 hat-tricks, 15 braces, and five-goal performance (against Estonia).
- Retired from international football following his final appearance on October 6, 2026, against Benin
His Barcelona record remains particularly remarkable. Messi developed from a gifted academy player into the centre of one of the most successful teams in the club’s history.
His achievements include winning four UEFA Champions League titles and ten La Liga titles with Barcelona. He also established records for goals in La Liga and for his remarkable scoring season in 2011–12.
Lionel Messi career free-kick goals: How many has he scored?
Messi has become one of football’s most dangerous direct free-kick specialists. His ability to bend the ball over a defensive wall and into the corner of the net has been a defining part of his attacking game.
By late October 2026, football statistics trackers reported that Messi had scored 76 direct free-kick goals in senior football. That tally put him close to the historical record, with Brazilian specialist Marcelinho Carioca widely credited with 78.
Breakdown of top Freekick table as of October, 2026
Messi’s free-kick ability did not reach its peak immediately. Over the years, he developed a technique built on placement, spin and control rather than simply striking the ball with power.
He has scored memorable free kicks for Barcelona, Argentina, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. His late free-kick winner on his Inter Miami debut in 2023 also showed how one moment of quality can change the atmosphere around a team.
Free kicks have become another way to influence a match for Messi even when opponents limit his opportunities from open play.
Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal: What is their Barcelona connection?
The connection between Messi and Lamine Yamal goes beyond their shared history at Barcelona.
In 2007, a young Messi took part in a charity calendar project organised through the FC Barcelona Foundation. During the photoshoot, he held baby Lamine Yamal, who was only a few months old at the time.
The photograph became famous years later when Yamal emerged as a Barcelona star. What was once an ordinary charity photograph became a remarkable image connecting two generations of football talent.
Both players developed through Barcelona’s football system, although their careers have followed different paths. Messi became the club’s greatest goalscorer and won major honours in Spain and Europe. Yamal has established himself as one of the most exciting young attackers of his generation.
Lamine Yamal vs Lionel Messi: Who is better?
Comparing Yamal with Messi is understandable, particularly for Barcelona supporters who remember Messi’s rise and are now watching Yamal develop.
Both players are left-footed attackers who can operate from the right wing, dribble past defenders, create chances and score goals. Their ability to move inside from the right and use their left foot has encouraged comparisons.
However, they are at very different stages of their careers.
Messi built an extraordinary record over more than two decades. He won eight Ballon d’Or awards, multiple Champions League and domestic titles, and the World Cup with Argentina. His career includes an exceptional combination of goalscoring, playmaking, consistency and longevity.
Yamal is still developing. He has already demonstrated outstanding technique, confidence and decision-making at a young age, but he needs time to build a comparable body of work.
There is also an important difference in style. Although both can play from the right, Messi became a complete attacking playmaker whose influence extended across the pitch. Yamal is developing his own strengths and should not be expected to reproduce Messi’s exact career.
Who is better right now? A fair comparison needs to consider the season, competition and role being assessed. Messi has the vastly greater career legacy, while Yamal represents a new generation with enormous potential. It is too early to declare that Yamal will match Messi’s achievements.
Will Lionel Messi return to Barcelona?
Messi’s connection with Barcelona remains strong, and many supporters would welcome a return to the club where he spent most of his professional career.
However, it is important to distinguish between a possible future return and a confirmed agreement.
Messi left Barcelona in 2021 after the club was unable to register a new contract under its financial circumstances. He subsequently played for Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami in 2023.
Inter Miami announced a contract extension running through the end of the 2028 MLS season. That makes a return to Barcelona as a player a matter of speculation unless the clubs or Messi announce otherwise.
A future visit, testimonial, ambassadorial role or retirement ceremony would also be different from returning to play competitive football for Barcelona. The emotional connection is understandable for Barca fans.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami: Is he returning to the club?
Messi is not merely expected to return to Inter Miami: he remains the club’s captain and player.
Inter Miami announced in October 2025 that Messi had signed an extension through the 2028 MLS season. The agreement also covered the club’s plans to begin a new chapter at Miami Freedom Park.
The extension reflects his importance to the club, both on the pitch and as a central figure in the growth of football in the United States.
If the question refers to his return after an injury, international break or period away from the team, the answer depends on the specific date and match. Such updates should be checked against Inter Miami’s official announcements and current team news.
Lionel Messi and the Eldense purchase agreement: Is he the owner?
Yes. CD Eldense officially announced on 1 October 2026 that Messi had acquired the club.
The agreement followed reports in September that Messi had reached a preliminary agreement to acquire the shares held by the club’s previous majority owners. Eldense subsequently confirmed the acquisition, and described it as the beginning of a new long-term project.
The club, founded in 1921, competes in Spain’s professional football system. Messi’s involvement represents a significant development beyond his playing career and gives him a direct role in the future of a Spanish club.
Lionel Messi’s Spanish football club investments
Eldense is part of Messi’s wider involvement in football ownership and development.
His football investments include UE Cornellà, a Catalan club known for its youth development, and Deportivo LSM in Uruguay, where he is a co-owner alongside Luis Suárez.
These interests suggest that Messi is thinking about football beyond his playing career. Ownership can give former players opportunities to support youth development, improve club infrastructure and help shape a team’s sporting direction.
Still, owning a football club does not automatically mean controlling every sporting decision. Club finances, league rules, governance and regulatory approvals all influence how an ownership project operates.
Lionel Messi Ballon d’Or predictions: Can he win another award in 2026?
Messi has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, more than any other player in the award’s history. His achievements have set a remarkable standard for individual excellence.
Does he deserve the 2026 ballon d’or? Lionel Messi has a strong case for the 2026 Ballon d’Or after an outstanding year with Inter Miami and Argentina. His performances combined individual brilliance, consistent goal contributions and another memorable World Cup campaign.
Messi scored eight goals and provided four assists in eight matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, helping Argentina reach the final against Spain. He finished the tournament with 12 goal contributions, showing his ability to score and create chances on football’s biggest stage at 39. Argentina lost the final 1–0, so Messi did not win a second consecutive World Cup. Nevertheless, his individual performances strengthened his Ballon d’Or case.
Club performance? Messi also delivered outstanding numbers for Inter Miami. In the 2025 MLS season, he scored 29 goals and provided 19 assists, finishing as the league’s Golden Boot winner with 48 goal contributions. He also won the MLS Most Valuable Player award for the second consecutive season and helped Inter Miami win their first MLS Cup.
Reuters reported that Messi recorded 75 goal contributions in 49 matches for club and country during the Ballon d’Or reference period, which included the 2026 World Cup.
Why he deserve the award: Messi’s strongest argument is the combination of elite club production and decisive international performances. His eight World Cup goals, four assists, individual MLS awards and contribution to Inter Miami’s historic MLS Cup triumph give voters compelling reasons to consider him.
Although Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and other leading contenders also have strong cases, Messi’s extraordinary output across club and international football makes him a serious candidate for a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or. We await October 26, 2026 for the event in London.
What award did Lionel Messi receive after the 2026 World Cup final?
Messi finished the 2026 FIFA World Cup with eight goals and received the adidas Silver Boot as the tournament’s second-highest goalscorer, behind Kylian Mbappé.
The award recognised his scoring record during Argentina’s run to the final. Argentina ultimately lost 1–0 to Spain, but Messi’s individual performance remained one of the major stories of the tournament.
The Silver Boot is different from the Golden Boot, which goes to the tournament’s leading goalscorer. It is also different from the Ballon d’Or, which is an annual individual award covering a broader period of football performance.
What is Lionel Messi’s net worth?
Forbes estimated Messi’s net worth at approximately US$1.1 billion in September 2026. This is an estimate rather than a publicly audited statement of his personal finances.
Messi’s wealth comes from several sources, including football contracts, sponsorship agreements, commercial partnerships and other business interests. His long career at Barcelona, move to Paris Saint-Germain and contract with Inter Miami have all contributed to his earning power.
His commercial value also reflects his worldwide popularity. Brands have worked with Messi for years, and his profile extends well beyond football supporters.
How tall is Lionel Messi?
Lionel Messi is approximately 1.70 metres tall, or 5 feet 7 inches.
His height has never prevented him from succeeding at the highest level. His low centre of gravity, close ball control, balance and quick changes of direction have helped him escape defenders in tight spaces.
Messi’s playing style demonstrates that football ability is not determined by physical size alone. His vision, timing and technical skill have allowed him to compete against much taller and more physically powerful opponents throughout his career.
Where does Lionel Messi live?
Lionel Messi primarily lives in South Florida, USA, where he plays for Inter Miami CF. His real estate portfolio also includes properties in Argentina and Spain.
Lionel Messi’s Properties
Castelldefels, Spain: Messi has owned a home near Barcelona since his time playing for FC Barcelona. The area remains closely associated with his years in Spain.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA: Messi’s reported main residence is a waterfront property in the exclusive Bay Colony neighbourhood. Reports say he expanded the property by purchasing a neighbouring home.
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, USA: Messi has been reported to own luxury condominiums in South Florida, including properties associated with Porsche Design Tower and Regalia.
Rosario, Argentina: Messi has a reported family estate in his hometown, often nicknamed The Fortress. The property reflects his strong connection to Rosario, where he grew up.
Who is Lionel Messi?
Lionel Andrés Messi is an Argentine professional footballer widely regarded as the greatest player in the history of the sport.
Born in Rosario, Argentina, on 24 June 1987, Messi joined Barcelona’s youth system as a teenager and developed into the club’s most prolific goalscorer. He later played for Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Messi has won eight Ballon d’Or awards and helped Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles.
His game combines close control, dribbling, vision, passing and goalscoring. He has also set major records in club football and international competition.
For many Barcelona fans, Messi represents an extraordinary period in the club’s history. For Argentina supporters, his World Cup triumph completed a journey that had included years of disappointment and near misses.
Is Lionel Messi Jewish?
No, Lionel Messi is not Jewish. He is a Catholic Christian from Argentina. According to The Jerusalem Post, Messi has supported Jewish causes, visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem with Barcelona in 2013, and worked with Israeli companies. However, these connections do not mean he is Jewish; his religion is Catholicism.
Is Lionel Messi playing in the 2030 World Cup?
Messi retired from Argentina’s national team in August 2026, following the World Cup final, and played his farewell international against Benin in October. That means a return to the national team would require a change to his announced retirement.
The 2030 World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with selected opening matches in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
Messi would be 43 when the tournament takes place. Although he has maintained an exceptional level for his age, there is no confirmed basis for saying he will return to international football for that competition.
For now, the accurate answer is that he is not confirmed to be playing in the 2030 World Cup.
Does Lionel Messi speak English?
Yes, Messi has said that he can communicate in English, although he has explained that he sometimes feels embarrassed speaking it publicly.
Spanish is his main language, and he has also learned Catalan during his long time in Barcelona. He has often chosen Spanish for interviews, which is why some fans assume he does not speak English.
Reports from teammates have also described him using English in private conversations at Inter Miami.
His ability should not be overstated: being able to communicate in English does not necessarily mean he is fully fluent in every situation. The clearest answer is that Messi can speak some English but generally prefers Spanish in public interviews.
Is Lionel Messi married?
Yes. Messi is married to Antonela Roccuzzo, his childhood friend and longtime partner from Rosario, Argentina.
The couple married in 2017 and have three sons: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
Antonela has been part of Messi’s life since before he became a global football star. Their relationship has attracted considerable public attention, but they generally keep many aspects of their family life private.
Their marriage and family have remained an important part of Messi’s life as he has moved between Barcelona, Paris and Miami.
When was Lionel Messi born?
Lionel Messi was born on 24 June 1987, in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina.
He began playing football as a young child and joined Newell’s Old Boys’ youth system before moving to Spain as a teenager to join Barcelona’s academy.
His early move to Barcelona became a turning point in his life. The club helped him continue his development and provided the platform for his rise into senior football.
From his debut as a teenager to his World Cup triumph with Argentina, Messi’s career has spanned more than two decades at the highest level.
Is Lionel Messi autistic?
There is no confirmed evidence that Lionel Messi is autistic, and he has never publicly identified as autistic, according to Bluebell ABA. Speculation about his neurodevelopment is linked to traits such as his intense focus on football from an early age, discipline and reserved personality.
However, these characteristics alone do not indicate autism. Autism is a spectrum condition that can affect social communication, sensory processing, flexibility and behaviour in different ways. Without a confirmed diagnosis, claims that Messi is autistic remain speculation.
