After losing in the Copa America 2007 final to Brazil 3-0, a World Cup defeat in 2010 against Germany, and multiple Copa America losses from 2015-2016.
In the 2016 Copa America Centenario, where they lost on penalties to Chile at the finals, Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football, lamenting, “I tried my hardest. It has been four finals yet I want more than anyone to win a title with the national team, but unfortunately, it did not happen.”
A month later, Messi reversed his decision, driven by his unrelenting will to succeed for his beloved country.
This insatiable zeal has made “the most decorated player” added to Messi's trophy list by winning the Copa America for the second time, as Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 in the finals this morning.
Let's take a look at a comprehensive list of international cups Messi has won for Argentina, La Albiceleste.
1. U-20 World Cup 2005
Lionel Messi's rise to fame began at the 2005 U-20 World Cup in Colombia, where he dazzled audiences with his exceptional talent.
The U-20 World Cup 2005 was the 15th edition of the FIFA World Youth Championship. It took place in the Netherlands from 10 June till 2 July 2005.
At just 17, Messi was a relatively unknown player, having only appeared once in a friendly game for Barcelona and a few games in Argentina.
After a disappointing loss in the first game, Messi had his first goal against Egypt, igniting the team's campaign.
He went ahead to score in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory against Spain and a 2-1 win against Brazil at the semi-final.
At the finals against Nigeria, Messi was the only player people were talking about and he secured a 2-1 victory with penalties, earning him the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards.
2. Olympic Gold Medal 2008
During a 2017 interview with Spanish Esquire, Messi said, " The Olympic gold in 2008 is the win I value the most because it's a tournament that you may play once in your life and involves many athletes from different disciplines. "
It almost looked impossible for Messi to participate in the Olympics, as Barcelona was reluctant to release him due to Champions League qualifiers.
However, the appointment of Pep Guardiola as Barcelona’s new manager changed things, and Messi was able to attend.
He made his Olympic debut on August 7,2008, donning the number 15 shirt and leading Argentina to a historic gold medal victory.
Lionel Messi | Shutterstock
In the gold medal match against Nigeria, Messi showcased his magic, providing a stunning assist to Angel di Maria, who scored the winning goal with a brilliant chip.
For Messi and Argentina, this gold medal was a cherished triumph, and its memory continues to be celebrated.
The Copa America 2021 final was held at the legendary Maracana Stadium between Argentina and Brazil on July 10th.
Led by Lionel Scaloni on the bench and Lionel Messi on the field, the team drew 1-1 with Chile in their first match, then beat Uruguay 1-0, Paraguay 1-0, and Bolivia 4-1 to advance to the final stage.
Angel Di Maria beat the Brazilian keeper Ederson with a shot in the 22nd minute, scoring the only goal of the match, which secured Argentina's 1-0 victory and the Copa America title as guests in Brazil.
Lionel Messi was selected as the best player of the tournament and finished as one of the top scorers, tied with Colombia's Luis Diaz with 4 goals each.
He was the tournament's top assist provider with 5 assists, the most any player had in a single edition since 2011.
Adding to his trophy list, Messi matched the historic Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone as the player with the most appearances in the tournament's history with 34 each.
Messi played all seven of Argentina's matches in this season, equalling the record set by the Chile legend in 1953.
On July 15, Lionel Messi became a legend after adding another coveted title to his impressive collection of international trophies, as Argentina emerged victorious in the Copa America 2024 final, defeating Colombia 1-0.
This triumph marked Messi's third consecutive international cup victory, further solidifying his reputation as GOAT!
Despite a heartbreaking ankle injury that forced him off the field in the second half, Messi's teammates secured the win, with Lautaro Martinez scoring the decisive goal in extra time.
This momentous victory cemented Messi's status as the most decorated footballer in history, with his Messi trophies list now boasting an unprecedented 45 titles, surpassing Dani Alves' record.
From his early days as a prodigious teenager at the 2005 U-20 World Cup to his current status as a legendary figure in football, Messi has consistently demonstrated his exceptional skill and ability to lead his teams to victory.
With a plethora of Messi international cups and trophies, including three consecutive international titles, Messi's trophies list is a lengthy and impressive one.
It is certain that his impact on the sport will be felt for generations to come.