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Lionel Messi will once again captain Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final tonight, aiming to add yet another glorious chapter to a career already filled with historic achievements.

Messi’s journey with the Argentine national team has been one of triumphs built upon perseverance. Despite early setbacks, he ultimately led his country to multiple international titles, solidifying his legacy as one of football’s greatest icons.

As Argentina prepare to take on Spain — the nation where Messi rose to prominence and became the world’s finest footballer — we take a look back at his record in major finals for the national side.

Messi’s first appearance in a major final for Argentina came in the 2007 Copa América, which ended in disappointment. Argentina were comprehensively beaten by their arch-rivals Brazil, who won 3-0 courtesy of goals from Julio Baptista and Dani Alves, along with an own goal from Roberto Ayala. A 20-year-old Messi featured throughout the entire 90 minutes but could not make a decisive impact.

His next final came seven years later, at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The then 27-year-old Messi was named the tournament’s Golden Ball winner for his outstanding performances, guiding Argentina to the final. However, heartbreak followed as Germany triumphed 1-0 after extra time, with Mario Götze scoring the decisive goal to crown Germany world champions.

In 2015, Argentina reached the Copa América final once again but suffered another painful defeat, this time to Chile. It was Chile’s first-ever Copa América title, secured through a penalty shootout. Messi was the only Argentine player to convert his spot-kick, while Gonzalo Higuaín missed over the bar and Ever Banega was denied by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. Alexis Sánchez converted the winning penalty for Chile, extending Argentina’s trophy drought to 22 years. Messi was named Player of the Tournament but ended up empty-handed once more.

The following year brought another heartbreak. In the 2016 Copa América Centenario, held to commemorate 100 years of the tournament, Argentina again faced Chile in the final. The result was an all-too-familiar one — a defeat on penalties. Messi missed his penalty in the shootout, and Argentina fell short for the third consecutive major final. In the aftermath, a distraught Messi announced his retirement from international football.

Fortunately for Argentina and football fans worldwide, Messi reversed his decision later that year and returned to the national team.

After four major final defeats, Messi finally lifted an international trophy when Argentina won the 2021 Copa América. Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 at the Maracanã Stadium, ending a 28-year wait for major silverware. Ángel Di María scored the only goal of the match, sealing a long-awaited triumph.

Following that success, Argentina faced European champions Italy in the 2022 Finalissima — a revived intercontinental showdown between the champions of South America and Europe. Argentina dominated, winning 3-0 with goals from Lautaro Martínez, Ángel Di María, and Paulo Dybala.

The crowning moment of Messi’s international career came later that year in Qatar, where he led Argentina to their third FIFA World Cup title in 2022. Messi scored seven goals in the tournament, earning the Golden Boot. In a thrilling final against France, he scored twice as Argentina won on penalties after a 3-3 draw, reclaiming the world title for the first time since 1986.

For Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, this victory represented the ultimate achievement — success on the grandest stage of all.

Argentina continued their dominance by defending their Copa América title in 2024, defeating Colombia in a hard-fought final. Lautaro Martínez scored the decisive extra-time goal, sealing Argentina’s third consecutive international championship.

Finals played: 8

Finals won: 4

Finals lost: 4

Goals scored: 2

Assists: 2