LUSAIL CITY, QATAR – DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the trophy after winning while sitting on the shoulders of a teammate after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Tnani Badreddine/Defodi Images via Getty Images)
DeFodi Images via Getty Images
This writer has had the privilege and blessing to watch in person and write about some of the greatest men’s superstars and personalities on the planet.
The list includes:
Pele.
Diego Maradona.
Johan Cruyff.
Eusebio.
Franz Beckenbauer
Gerd Mueller
Gordon Banks.
Carlos Alberto.
Nene Cubillas.
David Beckham.
Thierry Henry.
Lothar Matthaeus.
And of course, Lionel Messi.
Unless you were out of range of the internet or social media, you already know that Messi announced his retirement from international soccer at the age of 39.
“After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team,” Messi said in a statement on Instagram. “It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all – not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”
Messi will continue to play for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer. He has two years remaining on his contract.
What Messi has accomplished is nothing short of astounding. His 125 goals (in 217 appearances) is an Argentine record. He reached two FIFA World Cup finals, winning one (2022) and losing another (2026). He has entertained and treated the world to a magic show of stellar pinpoint passing and sharpshooting.
It will bring to the close an incredible 22-year international career of what many soccer observers and fans feel is the G.O.A.T. Many Pele supporters would disagree, but this piece is about a sportswriter watching a master at work over the past 18 years, not starting a debate.
Perhaps another time.
Beyond his God-given talent, Messi’s greatest strength was his instincts. He knew when to use his strengths in different situations. When he was younger, he would try to catch the opposition flat-footed by moving one of his feet on and off the ball. When he saw he had the advantage, it was off to the races. He would then zero in on the goal or set up a teammate for a score.
As he grew older and wiser, he understood that perhaps he could not always perform the same magic against younger and faster players at the international level. So, Messi would find a way better position himself to receive a pass. He put on a shot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring eight goals, second only to France striker Kylian Mbappe’s 10.
Not bad for a 39-year-old, not bad at all.
I have been fortunate to able to watch Messi in various stages of his star-studded career, from the 2008 Beijing Olympics to the 2016 Copa America Centenario to the 2025 MLS Cup final, and to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
BEIJING, CHINA – AUGUST 23: Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero of Argentina with Gold medals after the Medal Presentation for mens the Olympic Soccer at Beijing National Stadium on August 23, 2008 in Beijing, China . (Photo by Paul Mcfegan/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Getty Images
Messi’s golden moment (2008)
Even before the 2008 Summer Games began, 21-year-old Messi made international headlines. Barcelona, which was playing qualifiers for the UEFA Champions League that summer, did not want to give him up. Messi eventually was allowed to play for Argentina. He helped the South Americans win back-to-back men’s gold medal, certainly no mean feat.
He was a joy to watch. He would feint one way, jukes another, waiting for the opposing defender to commit himself and then he was off to the races. The goal, of course, was his finish line. He pulled off those types of moves several during Argentina’s 2-1 quarterfinal win over the Netherlands in extra time in Shanghai, China.
Ironically, the man who made his reputation scoring magnificent goals, set up the winning tally with a pass worth of a playmaking midfielder. After scoring Argentina’s initial goal, Messi’s brilliant diagonal pass — from right to left through the midfield, found an onrushing Angel DiMaria. DiMaria raced down into the left side of the penalty area. He forced goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer out of the net and fired home a 12-yard shot to break a 1-1 deadlock in the 105th minute.
Even the opposing coach, the Netherlands’ Foppe de Haan, could not contain himself when he talked about this extraordinarily gifted player.
“Messi’s contribution was extraordinary,” he said. “When Messi’s on the ball, he’s unbelievably good.”
Messi, who has shied away from press conferences and the media for most of his career, was at his elusive best after the match. The media tried to interview him while he walked through the mixed zone area with a lollipop in his mouth from the locker room to the team bus. He gave the thumbs up, but he never stopped to talk.
While he did not score a goal in the semifinals (a 3-0 win over archrival Brazil) or in the final (a 1-0 victory over Nigeria), he played a prominent role in both contests. He made the opposition work overtime trying to stop him, giving his teammates some room.
“The Olympic gold in 2008 is the win that I value the most because it is a tournament that you may play only once in your life and involves many athletes from different disciplines,” Lionel Messi had said during a 2017 interview with Spanish Esquire.
Of course, Messi likely changed his stance after 2022.
Not many men’s players can say they have won an Olympic gold medal and a World Cup.
TOPSHOT – Argentina’s Lionel Messi gestures after missing his shot during the penalty shoot-out against Chile during the Copa America Centenario final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States, on June 26, 2016. (Photo by DON EMMERT / AFP) (Photo by DON EMMERT/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Messi retires the first time (2016)
That’s right. The great Lionel Messi announced that retired at the age of 29, after one of the most disappointing matches of his illustrious career.
Chile had pulled off an upset, upending the Argentines in the final. The Chileans prevailed in a shootout, 4-2, after the two neighboring South American rivals played to a scoreless tie after 120 minutes before a capacity crowd of 82,026 at MetLife Stadium on June 26, 2016.
Messi was a non-factor during the run of play, and missed his penalty kick in the tie-breaker.
Afterwards, he stunned the media, announcing that he was retiring from international soccer.
“For me, the national team is over,” he said. “I’ve done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion. It’s been four finals, I tried.”
“It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over.
“I think this is best for everyone. First of all, for me, then for everyone. I think there’s a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it.
“It’s very hard, but the decision is taken. Now I will not try more and there will be no going back.”
At least one person was certain he would change his mind – Argentine coach Gerardo (Tata) Martino.
“It’s tough and overbearing,” he said. “Athletes have risen themselves back up and I’m sure he’ll do it again.”
Which he did. Messi returned to the national team two months later.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 06: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after winning and becoming champion following the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Final match between Inter Miami CF and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chase Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Messi adds MLS Cup to his trophy collection (2025)
As if the rest of the world needed a remedial course, Messi gave one in the MLS Cup final in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 6, 2025.
It was his passing ability. Messi set up the game-winning goal, by Rodrigo De Paul, in the 71st minute, which snapped a 1-1 deadlock. He was named game MVP.
Messi started the scoring sequence when he striped the ball off Andres Cubas some 30 yards out. He found midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who beat goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka from eight yards. De Paul, incidentally, hadn’t scored over 17 matches, 14 starts and more than 1,400 minutes.
“Three years ago, I decided to come to MLS, and today we are MLS champions,” Messi said. “We reached the semifinals of the [Concacaf] Champions Cup. Last year we went out early in the league and were eliminated in the first round. This year, winning MLS was one of our main objectives. The team made a huge effort; it was a very long year, with many matches; and we were up to the task all season. This is the moment I had been waiting for, and that we, as a team, were waiting for. It’s very beautiful for all of us. They deserved it.”
He added yet another winner’s medal to his burgeoning the collection. Besides the World Cup, Messi had 10 La Liga championships, and four UEFA Champions League titles.
“I am very happy for him,” Inter Miami CF head coach, Javier Mascherano, said. “I am very happy because of the season that he played. He was fantastic during the season. He was making a big effort the last two, three, four games.”
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 19: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina reacts after the 0-1 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Getty Images
More Messi disappointment at the Meadowlands (2026)
Two of Messi’s greatest disappointments occurred at MetLife Stadium. There was the aforementioned 2016 Copa championship game and then the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
After just about singlehandedly pushing Argentina through the group stage before slowing down a bit in the knockout round, Messi astounded critics and the world that a player so close to 40 still can be an impact player at the most important soccer tournament in the world. He had secured his first World Cup hat-trick and finished the tournament with a cup-record 21 goals over his six appearances.
On July 19, however, there was no magic. Messi proved to be mortal as he and his teammates were stifled and swallowed up by Spain’s smothering defense. The Spaniards walked off the pitch as world champions for the second time with a 1-0 extra-time triumph.
It was an emotional match for Messi, who knew at the time his father Jorge was dying.
“The pain is immense,” he posted on Instagram the next day, “and it’s going to take time for this wound to heal. But I’ll also hold on to all the good memories …”
He added: “The games we turned around by giving it our all—games that will remain in our memories forever—and the support of an entire country, which, together with the hard work and effort of this team, brought us back, once again, among the best in the world. Today it’s hard to fully appreciate what we accomplished, but this team reached two consecutive World Cup finals.”
After the tournament, Messi flew to Argentina to be with his ailing father. Jorge passed away at the age of 68 on Aug. 8.
Messi has returned to play with Inter Miami with a hardened resolve. He tallied four goals and assisted on a fifth in the team’s 7-1 home win over CF Montreal on Saturday, Aug. 29. He also took over the MLS Golden Boot race with 18 goals.
And on Monday, Aug. 31, he was named the MLS Player of the Matchday for Matchday 23.
Again, not bad for a 39-year-old.
At Shanghai Airport during the 2008 Olympics, Lionel Messi feigns sleeping as a journalist tries to get a picture of the Argentine great.
Michael Lewis Photo
So close to Messi, yet so far (2008)
We’ll finish with a much lighter anecdote.
By pure happenstance, I wound up being on the same flight as the Argentine Olympic team for its Air China flight 1557 from Beijing to Shanghai for that men’s quarterfinal match.
Messi was instantly recognized by soccer fans. They quickly whipped out their digital and video cameras, hoping to capture a glimpse of this man-child who has been the toast of the soccer world.
“Messi. Messi. That’s Messi?” could be heard throughout the cabin.
An Olympic volunteer traveling with the team was supposed to sit next to Messi, but an Argentine team official asked him if he could find another seat so Messi could have some more room. Messi slept for a good portion of the flight, as if he was saving his energy for the Dutch the next day.
Messi was sitting in on the aisle at 34H. My assigned seat was only four rows down, 37J, also on the aisle.
I had purposely taken down my camera from my backpack and waited for him to wake up.
I watched Messi’s every move. I started to feel what a paparazzi goes through. A lot of waiting and focusing on your potential subject, ready to snap a photo that will disregard an individual’s privacy for the love of money (well, I was going to take Messi’s photo for my website at the time, BigAppleSoccer.com, not to sell to a tabloid magazine). Still, I have to admit, I didn’t like it, not at all.
I refused to go in front of Messi and take a photo of him while he was asleep (he slept for most of the flight).
The plane landed and I thought I missed out on any chance of a Messi photo.
But good things come to those who wait. After getting off the plane, the Argentine team had congregated in the baggage section. I caught Messi sitting with some teammates. I aimed the camera at him and he feigned being asleep.
It is far from a Pulitzer Prize-winning photo, but it is still my trophy of one of the all-time greats in any sport.
Michael Lewis, the sixth recipient of the Clay Berling Media Career of Excellence Award in 2025, can be followed on X an Bluesky at @Soccerwriter. His 10th soccer book, Around the World Cup in 40 Years: An American sportswriter’s perspective, has been published.