Messi's most iconic moments as he ponders retirement

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reports that Lionel Messi is weighing his future in the game after the death of his father, Jorge, and has hinted that he may not keep playing for much longer. The 39-year-old Argentina forward is under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, but the article says his comments have prompted reflection about retirement. In response, BBC Sport revisited a series of career-defining moments that helped make Messi one of football’s most decorated players.

The piece highlights early milestones at Barcelona, including his first hat-trick against Real Madrid in 2007, a solo goal against Getafe that drew comparisons with Diego Maradona, and his first Champions League final goal against Manchester United in 2009. It also notes major scoring records, such as surpassing Barcelona’s all-time goals mark, reaching 91 goals in a calendar year in 2012, and later becoming La Liga’s record scorer. BBC Sport also points to his 500th Barcelona goal, scored in an El Clasico win at Real Madrid in 2017.

The article places equal weight on his later success with Argentina, including his first senior international trophy at the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup triumph over France, where he was named player of the tournament. It adds that Messi has since won two more Ballons d'Or, taking his record total to eight. Broadly, the piece frames the current retirement talk against a career that has already reshaped modern football, both at club and international level.