Messi returns to stadium where he retired for World Cup final
Lionel Messi announced his international retirement in 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa America final to Chile at MetLife Stadium.
Pressure from the public and politicians prompted Messi to reverse his retirement decision two months later.
Messi returned to the Argentina national team and helped secure qualification for the 2018 World Cup with a hat-trick against Ecuador.
Argentina won the 2022 World Cup under coach Lionel Scaloni, who built a team around Messi without making it dependent on him.
Messi returns to MetLife Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain, ten years after his retirement announcement.
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Hindustan Times
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