Even Stars have to die someday

Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Messi showed an extraordinary connection with football from an early age. His talent quickly became impossible to ignore, and at the age of 13, he moved to Spain and joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy. It was the beginning of a journey that would eventually change the history of football.

Messi’s journey has been written in goals, records, trophies and moments that seemed almost too beautiful to be real. He emerged from Barcelona’s youth academy and made his senior debut for the Catalan giants in 2004, at just 17 years of age. Over the next 17 years, Camp Nou became his kingdom. He became Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer, winning 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies and four Champions League titles along the way.

But Messi’s story was never only about Barcelona. It was also about Argentina, about dreams delayed and heartbreak endured. For years, international glory slipped through his fingers. Then, in 2021, he finally lifted the Copa America. And a year later, under the lights of Qatar, came the moment football had been waiting for. Argentina defeated France in a breathtaking World Cup final, and Messi finally held the one trophy that had always seemed destined to remain beyond his reach.

His individual honours only deepen the legend. Eight Ballon d’Or awards stand as a testament to a career unlike any other. Yet numbers can never fully explain Messi. They cannot measure the silence that fell inside a stadium before he made his move, the helplessness of defenders as he glided past them, or the wonder of watching his left foot turn impossible angles into unforgettable moments.

After leaving Barcelona, Messi continued his journey at Paris Saint-Germain before crossing the Atlantic to join Inter Miami in 2023. There, he carried more than a football with him. He carried an entire era, bringing the magic that had illuminated European nights to a new audience in the United States.

But legends are not remembered simply for what they won. They are remembered for what they made people feel.

Messi made millions fall in love with football all over again. His close control, extraordinary vision and almost supernatural ability to create something from nothing made every match feel like a promise — that perhaps, just perhaps, something magical was about to happen.

And now, the final chapter has begun to close.

On October 6, 2026, Lionel Messi walked onto the pitch at Buenos Aires’ Monumental for the final time as an Argentina international. In an emotional farewell against Benin, he scored once and provided two assists in a 3-0 victory, bringing an extraordinary international journey to its close.

The day when the boots would be left untouched, when the stadium lights would fade and the roar of the crowd would fall silent has finally arrived — at least for Argentina. Football will move on, as it always does.

Because even stars have to die someday.

But some stars never truly disappear.

They remain in the echoes of the goals, in the memories of those who watched them, and in the hearts of generations who were fortunate enough to see them shine.

Lionel Messi has now said goodbye to Argentina.

But the light he brought to football will never fade.

Messi's career at a glance

2004 — Barcelona first-team debut
2005 — First major international title: FIFA U-20 World Cup
2009 — First Ballon d’Or & historic treble with Barcelona
2012 — 91 goals in a calendar year
2015 — Second treble with Barcelona
2021 — Copa América champion with Argentina
2022 — Finalissima & FIFA World Cup champion 
2023 — Joined Inter Miami & won Leagues Cup
2024 — Argentina won Copa América; Inter Miami won Supporters’ Shield
2025 — Inter Miami won MLS Cup
2026 — Argentina international career ended after 208 appearances and 126 goals. 

Career Hounors: 47 major trophies
Ballon D’OR: 8
World Cup: 1
Champions league: 4
La Liga: 10
Copa America: 2