PARIS — Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday, six weeks on from Argentina’s defeat in the World Cup final and after over 200 appearances for his country stretching across more than two decades.

AFP Sport looks back at the moments that defined Messi’s career with his country.

Messi’s international career began as a fresh-faced 18-year-old in 2005. His first cap was unforgettable for the wrong reasons — ninety seconds after coming on as a substitute in a friendly with Hungary in Budapest, he was sent off for what the referee saw as an elbow.

The following June he made his first World Cup appearance in the 6-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro with which Argentina began the 2006 tournament in Germany.

Messi got his team’s final goal in Gelsenkirchen — the first game and goal of what would become a legendary relationship with the World Cup.

Messi was 26 when Argentina headed to Brazil in 2014, but was already established as one of the greats thanks to his achievements with Barcelona.

There had been numerous disappointments with Argentina: quarter-final defeats, both to Germany, at the World Cup in 2006 and in 2010, the latter with Diego Maradona as coach. There was also a Copa America final loss to Brazil in 2007, and a miserable showing at the 2011 version of that competition on home soil.

Messi went to Brazil as captain of Alejandro Sabella’s team, and made a flying start by scoring in every group game. The goals then dried up, but he took Argentina to their first World Cup final since the days of Maradona, only for the Albiceleste to fall short against Germany at the Maracana.