Lionel Scaloni
Photo: jmmuguerza, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
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- Oct 8
Argentina beat Benin 3:0 in Messi's last national team match; Benin says it got no photos or shirts
Benin coach Gernot Rohr says his players were refused photos, shirt swaps and access to the Argentina corridor after the 3:0 defeat. Journalist Romain Molina made similar accusations against the Argentine federation and players.
- Oct 7
Spain expands FIFA ranking lead to 38 points as Portugal enters top five
Spain extended its advantage over Argentina atop the FIFA world rankings to 38.77 points after four consecutive UEFA Nations League victories, while Portugal climbed two spots to fifth.
- Oct 6
Lionel Messi retires from Argentina after 208 caps as Cristiano Ronaldo pays tribute
Lionel Messi ended his 21-year international career with a 3-0 win over Benin in Buenos Aires, prompting a public tribute from long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Oct 1
Argentina beats Bolivia 4-0 in Córdoba in first match following Messi retirement
Lautaro Martínez, Nico Paz, Cristian Romero, and José Manuel López scored in Córdoba as Argentina began its post-World Cup schedule without Lionel Messi.
- Sep 30
University of Buenos Aires awards Lionel Messi honorary doctorate ahead of farewell match
The University of Buenos Aires has unanimously voted to grant football icon Lionel Messi an honorary doctorate, presenting its highest academic distinction before his final match for Argentina.
- Jul 25
Spain coach De la Fuente slams 'intolerable' Argentina conduct as FIFA launches brawl investigation
Spain's Luis de la Fuente branded Argentina's post‑match behaviour 'intolerable and unacceptable' after a mass brawl erupted at the World Cup final, prompting a FIFA disciplinary investigation.
- Jul 25
Nicolás Otamendi retires from Argentina duty at 38 after World Cup final defeat to Spain
The 38-year-old central defender, with 139 caps and a World Cup title, steps down four days after the 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in East Rutherford.
- Jul 22
De Paul: 'Our smiles bother them, our manners annoy them' after Argentina's extra-time World Cup final loss
Rodrigo De Paul, the 32-year-old midfielder with 94 caps, posted a defiant Instagram message to Argentinian supporters on Monday after La Albiceleste lost 0-1 to Spain in the World Cup final after extra time on Sunday evening.
- Jul 21
Argentina's World Cup runners-up return home without Messi to a grateful welcome in Buenos Aires
The Argentine national team landed at Ezeiza airport on Monday evening without captain Lionel Messi, who flew directly to Miami, as thousands of supporters braved cold and rain to thank the squad for reaching the 2026 World Cup final.
- Jul 20
Messi breaks down in tears after Argentina's 1-0 World Cup final defeat to Spain, posts emotional farewell on Instagram
Argentina fell 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, leaving Lionel Messi in tears during the medal ceremony before he posted a farewell message on Instagram.
- Jul 19
Spain beats Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win 2026 World Cup, Ferran Torres the hero
Ferran Torres struck in the 106th minute as Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 at MetLife Stadium, denying Lionel Messi a second straight title and securing La Roja's first World Cup since 2010.
- Jul 12
Mac Allister and extra-time strikes send Argentina past Switzerland 3-1, setting up semi-final with England
Alexis Mac Allister scored early but Switzerland forced extra time before Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez struck to seal a 3-1 quarterfinal win at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Argentina now meets England for a place in the 2026 World Cup final.
- Jul 12
Alvarez's extra-time stunner sends Argentina past 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in World Cup quarter-final
Argentina needed extra time to overcome a determined Switzerland 3-1 in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals. Julian Alvarez's long-range goal in the 112th minute broke a 1-1 deadlock after the Swiss had played with ten men from the 72nd minute.
- Jul 8
Argentina stuns Egypt with three-goal comeback, teammate confirms this is Messi's last World Cup
Argentina overturned a 2-0 deficit in the final 13 minutes to beat Egypt 3-2 in the World Cup round of 16, and Lautaro Martinez revealed afterwards that the tournament is Lionel Messi's last.
- Jul 4
Argentina survives Cape Verde scare in extra-time thriller at World Cup
Lionel Messi scored his seventh goal of the tournament but defending champions Argentina needed extra time and an own goal to beat debutants Cape Verde 3-2 in the round of 16.
- Jul 4
Argentina survive Cape Verde thriller with 3-2 extra-time win, Messi breaks records
Lionel Messi scored his 20th World Cup goal and Cristian Romero headed a 111th-minute winner as Argentina edged Cape Verde 3-2 in Miami to reach the last 16, where they will face Egypt.
- Jun 28
Messi scores in seventh straight World Cup match as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1, set up Cape Verde clash
Lionel Messi's late free-kick sealed a 3-1 victory over Jordan, extending his record to 19 World Cup goals and seven consecutive scoring appearances. Argentina completed Group J with a perfect nine points.
- Jun 28
Messi free-kick seals Argentina’s perfect group stage as Algeria and Austria advance in thriller
Lionel Messi came off the bench to score a stunning free-kick as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1, completing a flawless group stage. Algeria and Austria drew 3-3 in a dramatic match that sent both teams to the last 32.
- Jun 17
Messi hat-trick opens Argentina's World Cup defence as Marciniak referees 3-0 win over Algeria
Lionel Messi scored all three goals, equalling Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup record of 16, while Polish referee Szymon Marciniak oversaw a composed but occasionally contentious group-stage opener in Kansas City.
- May 26
Messi diagnosed with hamstring overload, avoiding serious injury three weeks before World Cup
Lionel Messi has been diagnosed with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring after leaving Inter Miami's match early, easing fears of a serious injury less than three weeks before the 2026 World Cup.
