On June 27, 2016, Lionel Messi walked away from international football.

Moments after Argentina’s heartbreaking Copa America Centenario final defeat to Chile on penalties, an emotional Messi delivered words that stunned the footballing world.

“For me, the national team is over.”

At just 29 years old and widely regarded as the best player on the planet, Messi felt he had reached his breaking point after losing a fourth major final with Argentina.

Ten years later, that retirement announcement stands as one of football’s greatest “what if” moments-because Messi returned just weeks later and transformed not only his career, but also his entire international legacy.

The penalty miss that changed everything

Argentina entered the 2016 Copa America Centenario looking to end a 23-year trophy drought.

Instead, history repeated itself.

After 120 goalless minutes against Chile, the final went to penalties. Messi, taking Argentina’s opening kick, blazed his effort over the crossbar. Chile eventually won the shootout 4-2, condemning Argentina to another painful runners-up finish.

For Messi, it was the latest chapter in an agonising run of near misses.

Before that night, he had lost:

• 2007 Copa America final vs Brazil
• 2014 FIFA World Cup final vs Germany
• 2015 Copa America final vs Chile
• 2016 Copa América Centenario final vs Chile

The emotional weight proved overwhelming.

“I’ve tried so hard to become a champion with Argentina. It’s not meant for me,” Messi said after the match while announcing his retirement.

The retirement lasted just a few months

Fortunately for Argentina and football, the retirement didn’t last.

Following widespread appeals from fans, teammates and even political leaders in Argentina, Messi reversed his decision in August 2016 and returned for the country’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

At the time, few could have predicted what would follow.

How Messi rewrote his Argentina legacy?

The narrative surrounding Messi changed completely over the next decade.

After years of criticism over his inability to win a major trophy with Argentina, he captained his country through its most successful era since Diego Maradona.

His international honours since returning include:

• 2021 Copa America – Messi finally lifted his first senior international trophy as Argentina defeated Brazil at the Maracana.
• 2022 Finalissima – Argentina comfortably beat European champions Italy at Wembley.
• 2022 FIFA World Cup – Messi produced one of football’s greatest tournament performances, scoring twice in the unforgettable final against France as Argentina won their third World Cup. He also claimed the Golden Ball.
• 2024 Copa America – Argentina successfully defended their continental crown, extending their record to 16 Copa America titles.

Still making history in 2026

A decade after announcing his retirement, Messi remains the face of Argentina.

Now featuring in a record sixth FIFA World Cup, the 39-year-old continues to break records. During the ongoing 2026 tournament, he became the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history after surpassing the previous record with goals against Algeria and Austria.

Rather than ending his international career in disappointment, Messi has added another remarkable chapter to one of football’s greatest careers.

The retirement that became the greatest comeback

Had Messi stuck with his 2016 decision, debates over his international legacy may never have ended.

Instead, the Argentine icon returned to erase every lingering question.

From a player haunted by four final defeats, he became a Copa America champion, a Finalissima winner, a World Cup winner, an eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient and arguably the most decorated footballer the sport has ever seen.

Looking back 10 years later, June 27, 2016, is remembered not as the day Lionel Messi retired from Argentina, but as the day football almost lost one of its greatest ever redemption stories.