In partnership with
Welcome back to The High Ground—a football newsletter that’s as inviting as scoring an open goal.
Transfers shape clubs. Tactics shape seasons. But Lionel Messi? He shaped football itself.
Now, with his Argentina career nearing its final act — a last dance at the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico — it’s time to look back. From a teenage prodigy in 2006 to destiny fulfilled in Qatar, here are Messi’s Top 10 Argentina Moments — ranked.
🔟 Dream Debut (World Cup 2006)
Messi was just 18, fresh off a breakout year at Barcelona, when he stepped onto the World Cup stage against Serbia & Montenegro. Sixteen minutes, one goal, one assist. Diego Maradona, watching in the stands, smiled: “He’s not just good. He’s special.”
The world agreed. The Messi era in international football had officially begun.
9️⃣ Group Stage Greatness (Brazil 2014)
Eight long years passed before his next World Cup goal, but Messi made up for lost time. He curled in a last-gasp winner against Iran, slotted home against Bosnia, and smashed in a free-kick against Nigeria.
Four goals in three games — Messi carried Argentina to the final, where only Germany stood in the way.
8️⃣ 1000th Game, Same Old Messi (vs Australia, 2022)
Most players would celebrate a landmark like 1000 matches with a testimonial. Messi? He did it in a World Cup knockout tie. Against Australia, he glided, probed, and scored a classic left-foot finish to lead Argentina into the quarters.
Socceroos midfielder Keanu Baccus put it best: “He looks fake on the field. Like a wax statue that moves.”
7️⃣ Hat-trick vs Brazil (2012, New Jersey)
It was “just a friendly.” Unless you’re Messi. Then it’s a chance to torch Brazil.
He scored three, the last a long-range rocket to win it 4-3. Even Brazil’s coach admitted defeat: “No one has found a solution to Messi. Against some players, you cannot give them any space.”
Argentina’s biggest rivals. Their biggest stage. Their biggest nightmare.
6️⃣ Running Rings Around Gvardiol (World Cup 2022 Semifinal)
Josko Gvardiol had bullied strikers all tournament. Then Messi happened.
A few body feints, a sudden burst, and the 20-year-old Croatian was tied in knots. Messi cut inside and slid a perfect assist to Julián Álvarez. At 35, he made one of the world’s best young defenders look like a trainee.
Luka Modric summed it up: “Greatness.”
The Gold standard for AI news
AI keeps coming up at work, but you still don't get it?
That's exactly why 1M+ professionals working at Google, Meta, and OpenAI read Superhuman AI daily.
Here's what you get:
Daily AI news that matters for your career - Filtered from 1000s of sources so you know what affects your industry.
Step-by-step tutorials you can use immediately - Real prompts and workflows that solve actual business problems.
New AI tools tested and reviewed - We try everything to deliver tools that drive real results.
All in just 3 minutes a day
5️⃣ The Battle of Lusail (vs Netherlands, 2022)
A quarter-final for the ages: 17 yellow cards, late drama, penalty shootout glory.
Messi produced one of the assists of the tournament for Nahuel Molina. Then, in the aftermath, he unleashed his fire: “¿Qué mirás, bobo? ¡Andá pa’ allá, bobo!” at Wout Weghorst.
For years, critics said he lacked Maradona’s edge. That night, he showed he had it in spades. Argentinians loved him more for it.
4️⃣ The Gift From God (Ecuador 2017)
Argentina were staring at World Cup elimination. High altitude in Quito. One goal down inside a minute. Then Messi stepped up.
A hat-trick, scored with the kind of swagger only he carries. As then-president Mauricio Macri declared: “Messi is a gift from God.”
He wasn’t wrong. Without him, Argentina don’t even make Russia 2018.
3️⃣ Turning the 2022 Campaign Around (vs Mexico)
After the Saudi Arabia shock, Argentina were 30 minutes from disaster. Then Messi picked up the ball 25 yards out and drilled it low into the corner.
“Today, another World Cup starts for Argentina,” he said afterward. He was right. That goal saved the campaign — and started a march toward glory.
2️⃣ The Win That Changed Everything (Copa América 2021 Final)
Messi didn’t dominate the final against Brazil. He didn’t need to. Ángel Di María’s goal sealed it.
What mattered was the tears at full time. The Golden Boot, the Golden Ball, and finally a senior trophy for Argentina. The 28-year drought was over. The criticism was silenced. The dream realised.
Messi collapsed to the turf in tears — Argentina collapsed with him. Relief, joy, release.
1️⃣ Destiny Fulfilled (World Cup Final 2022)
France. Mbappé. Chaos. Drama. Extra time. Penalties. And at the center of it all, Messi.
Two goals in the greatest World Cup final ever played. The Golden Ball. The trophy lifted under the Lusail lights.
From 2006’s boy wonder to 2022’s eternal champion, Messi’s Argentina story ended the only way it ever could: with destiny fulfilled.
As Gary Lineker wrote: “A gift from the footballing gods.”
High Ground takeaway: Messi’s Argentina career wasn’t smooth. It was heartbreak after heartbreak — until it wasn’t. That’s what makes it so human, so perfect.
He gave Argentina the Copa. He gave them the World Cup. He gave the rest of us memories stitched into the fabric of football forever.
The end is near. But the story is eternal.
