Relembre Messi's 21 World Cup goals as Argentina bid farewell

On a quiet evening in New Jersey, a FIFA‑produced video looped on stadium screens, replaying each of Lionel Messi's 21 goals for Argentina as fans watched the Albiceleste’s legend bow out. The Argentine forward announced his retirement on 31 August 2026 at 39, ending a career defined by Copas del Mundo moments and 12 assists in 34 World Cup matches.

Messi's World Cup record

Messi featured in six editions of the World Cup, amassing 34 appearances, 23 victories, five draws and six defeats. His 21 tournament goals place him second on the all‑time list, behind Kylian Mbappé’s 22. In the 2022 final against France he netted twice and converted his penalty in the shoot‑out, while the 2026 final saw him finish as runner‑up after a loss to Spain.

Career milestones with the Albiceleste

Since his senior debut on 17 August 2005, Messi accumulated 207 caps and 125 goals, eclipsing Gabriel Batistuta’s former record of 55. He also recorded 65 assists, captained the side in a record 133 matches, and scored 11 direct free‑kick goals. His father, Jorge Messi, passed away on 8 August 2026, a loss Messi cited as reinforcing his decision.

Legacy and farewell tribute

FIFA honoured the Argentine star by posting the compilation on its official Twitter account on 31 August, captioned “All 21 goals Lionel Messi scored at the #FIFAWorldCup”. The video highlighted his contributions alongside teammates such as Angel Di Maria and Rodrigo De Paul, who remain behind him in the national scoring and assist charts. Messi also leaves a record of ten hat‑tricks, five‑goal feats against Estonia, and a legacy that rivals Diego Maradona, Guillermo Stabile, Juan Andres Marvezzi and Jose Manuel Moreno.