Messi's iconic career moments as retirement looms
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- Messi hinted at retirement after his father Jorge's death, saying "I don't know how to carry on" despite his Inter Miami contract running through 2028.
- Real Madrid were on the wrong end of Messi's first career hat-trick in a 3-3 El Clasico draw on 10 March 2007 at age 19, including a brilliant late solo finish that made him a household name.
- Diego Maradona's "Goal of the Century" was echoed by Messi's dribble from his own half past five Getafe defenders in a Copa del Rey semi-final on 18 April 2007.
- César Rodríguez's 60-year-old Barcelona scoring record fell to Messi's hat-trick against Granada on 20 March 2012 — a mark he extended to 672 goals before his tearful 2021 departure.
- Guinness World Records confirmed Messi's 91-goal calendar year in 2012 (79 for Barcelona, 12 for Argentina in 69 games), earning him an unprecedented fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or.
- Argentina won the 2022 World Cup as Messi scored twice in the final against France and converted in the penalty shootout, claiming the Golden Ball with seven tournament goals.
- Kylian Mbappé surpassed Messi's all-time World Cup goal tally (22 to 21) in the 2026 bronze final against England, before Argentina — with Messi still scoring eight times — lost to Spain in the final.
Why it matters: Messi, signed through 2028 but now considering retirement after his father's death, would leave behind a 921-goal career with a record eight Ballon d'Ors and the 2022 World Cup already secured. The emotional weight of these iconic moments is sharpened by the fact that his 2026 World Cup ended with Argentina losing the final to Spain and Mbappé overtaking his all-time scoring record.
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