Messi's return to MetLife Stadium: Time to make history and face ghosts of the past
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 17.07.26. | 15:05
The Argentina captain will play the World Cup final in the same venue where one of the darkest moments of his international career unfolded a decade ago
It's June 26, 2016. Location: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Chile had just retained the Copa America title, beating Argentina in the final on penalties after salvaging a goalless draw, just as they had done a year earlier.
La Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi, who had missed a spot-kick in the shootout, speaks to the media after suffering his third final defeat with Argentina in as many years, and utters a shocking sentence (as quoted by the BBC).
#GOATMessi On June 26th, 2016 I still remember when he announced retirement. He just missed a penalty against Chile making it the 4th final Argentina had lost. Thankfully he reversed that very short retirement decision. What a great decision for the sport it turned out pic.twitter.com/eGHbMq4dcq
— Suresh (@surnell) July 16, 2026
"For me, the national team is over. I've done all I can."
He then continues...
"It hurts not to be a champion. It's been four finals, I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's over. I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, then for everyone."
"I think there's a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it."
"It's very hard, but the decision is taken. Now I will not try more and there will be no going back."
The nation was stunned and devastated. A few days ago, Enzo Fernandez even revealed he had written Messi a letter, begging him to return. He was likely just one of many Argentines who did the same.
Luckily for them and football in general, Leo changed his mind, returning to the national team squad less than three months after the defeat to Chile, and the rest is history.
He went on to win the Copa America five years later and again in 2024, while the crowning moment of his international career came in 2022 in Qatar, when La Albiceleste became world champions.
On Sunday, Messi will feature in his third World Cup final, joining the Brazilian Cafu as only the second player ever to do so, and will have a chance to defend the title.
🚨 Messi faces the ghosts of the past.
— CHIMAOBI 🐅 (@chimaobi_saint) July 17, 2026
As if EA Sports predicting Spain to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup wasn't enough, Lionel Messi and Argentina now return to a stadium filled with painful memories.
The final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey—the same venue where,… pic.twitter.com/eUWWETCyF5
Where? At the very place where he experienced the darkest moment of his Argentina career - MetLife Stadium!
Ten years later, Leo is back, now stronger than ever, carrying La Albiceleste to unprecedented heights. In two days, he'll confront the ghosts of the past and haunting memories. If Argentina win, he'll come full circle and close a chapter.
Who would have imagined it would come to this after that night in June 2016...
WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE
Sunday
Third-place match
00.00: (2.00) France (3.75) England (3.60)
Final
22.00: (2.35) Spain (3.00) Argentina (3.60)
***odds are subject to change***