Messi becomes most decorated footballer after Copa America win

Messi’s achievements include six titles with Argentina, 35 titles with Barcelona, three with PSG, and a Leagues Cup with Inter Miami.

The first title Messi won with Argentina was the 2005 U20 World Cup in Netherlands. Three years later, he won the Olympic men’s football gold medal in Beijing, China with Argentina.

It was not until the 2021 Copa America that Messi won his first title with the national football team, at the age of 34. Since then, he has won three more titles, namely the Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America.

Lionel Messi poses with two Copa America titles on July 15, 2024. Photo by Instagram/@leomessi

In the 2024 Copa America final on July 14 (local time), the 37-year-old superstar injured his ankle and left the field in the 65th minute, then burst into tears. However, Argentina still beat Colombia 1-0 thanks to striker Lautaro Martinez’s goal in the 112th minute. After scoring, Martinez kissed Messi on the forehead before returning to play.

Alves is second in terms of collective titles, with 44, but without the World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo is in the top five with 35 titles, but also missing the World Cup. In the top 10, there are only three players who have won the World Cup: Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique, and they are all former teammates of Messi at Barca.

Messi has no intention of retiring from the national team, so he still has a chance to conquer the 2026 World Cup, at the age of 39. Before that, Argentina will play the Finalissima with Spain, the 2024 Euro champions in the summer of 2025. Messi also has many chances to win more titles with Inter Miami, when the club are currently second in the MLS, with one point less than Cincinnati.