With Argentina trailing Egypt 2-0, Messi helped spark a comeback with an equalizer in the 83rd minute. After assisting Cristian Romero’s goal, Messi met the ball inside the box and fired a left-footed half-volley into the net. His emotional celebration showed how much the moment meant to him and the fans watching around the world. It was also the final goal of his World Cup career.

Argentina needed a win against Ecuador to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, and Messi delivered a hat trick. He opened the scoring with a left-footed finish, added a second after dribbling past a defender, then completed the hat trick with another composed finish. It was one of his biggest performances for Argentina, with the team’s World Cup hopes on the line.

Messi showed off his free-kick ability against Paraguay during qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. He struck the ball with his left foot, sending it over the wall and into the net. The shot was a clean finish from outside the box and another example of his skill from free kicks.

Messi opened the scoring against Colombia with a free kick that curled over the wall and into the top corner. Goalkeeper David Ospina had little chance of reaching it. Messi also helped set up another goal during the match, but his free kick was the highlight.

At just 20 years old, Messi scored one of his most memorable early goals against Mexico in the 2007 Copa América semifinal. With Argentina leading, he spotted goalkeeper Oswaldo Sánchez off his line and chipped the ball over him from the edge of the box. The delicate finish showed the creativity and confidence that would become hallmarks of his game.

Messi was still a teenager when he began making his mark for Argentina, showing the close control and quick footwork that would become his trademark. His early performances against Colombia gave fans a glimpse of his ability to take on defenders and create chances with the ball at his feet.

Messi scored a stunning free kick against the United States in the Copa América Centenario semifinal. From outside the box, he curled his left-footed shot over the wall and into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Brad Guzan with no chance. The strike also made Messi Argentina’s all-time leading scorer at the time, moving him past Gabriel Batistuta.

Messi opened the scoring against Nigeria with a goal that showed off his touch and finishing ability. After receiving a long pass from Éver Banega, he controlled the ball with his thigh, brought it into his stride, and fired past goalkeeper Francis Uzoho. The control and finish made it one of the standout goals of Argentina’s 2018 World Cup campaign.

Messi scored a hat trick in Argentina’s 4-3 win over Brazil at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. His third came after he drove forward and sent a long-range shot into the top corner in the 85th minute. It was a brilliant finish against Argentina’s biggest rivals that left everyone stunned.

With Argentina struggling to break down Mexico, Messi found space outside the penalty area and collected a pass from Ángel Di María. He hit a low, left-footed shot through the defense and into the bottom corner, giving the goalkeeper little chance to react. The goal changed the mood of Argentina’s World Cup campaign and became one of the defining moments on the team’s run to the title.