Messi has made it to the finals of The World Cup for a 2nd time, and this might just be his moment, but even if it's not β it's the journey that matters.
Messi's solidified his International legacy by battling unbelievable odds, ups & downs. He's the definition of resiliency.
Messi's solidified his International legacy by battling unbelievable odds, ups & downs. He's the definition of resiliency.
Messi made his International debut in 2005, getting sent off within 2 minutes in a contentious decision. Beyond this in the World Cup qualifiers he had great performances enough to get him picked for the 2006 WC squad despite carrying a hamstring injury into the tournament.
In the 2006 World Cup, Messi became the then youngest player to represent Argentina at a World Cup against Serbia in the 74th minute of Argentina's 2nd match and in typical Messi fashion he scored.
The 2006 World Cup was just the entry stage to what was going to be one of the most illustrious careers in the history of football.
Messi was eventually controversially left out on the bench for the quarter finals against Germany, and Argentina lost on pens 4-2.
Messi was eventually controversially left out on the bench for the quarter finals against Germany, and Argentina lost on pens 4-2.
Moving into 2007, Messi moved into the main team going into the Copa America. Argentina were favourites, Messi scored 2 and assisted 1 in the tournament, winning the best young player award. Argentina lost to Brazil 3-0 in the finals.
No international trophy for Messi
No international trophy for Messi
Leo going into the 2008 Olympics was now easily one of the best players in the World Players in the world, and despite resistance from Barça to send him there, Pep helped him, and Messi won the Olympic Gold with Argentina.
Messi's first international achievement.
Messi's first international achievement.
Moving on closer to the 2010 World Cup, Argentina were struggling under Maradona's leadership and barely made it to the World Cup.
Messi's form seemed better than the qualifiers in the tournament but he wasn't being used to his fullest.
Messi's form seemed better than the qualifiers in the tournament but he wasn't being used to his fullest.
Messi showed signs of his magic in South Africa but eventually lost to Germany in the 2010 World Cup quarter finals as his team and management were just not up to the mark. They lost 4-0. π
2011 Copa America was no better for Messi and Argentina. Maradona was replaced by Sergio Batista. Messi's form for the national team just wasn't there yet. He struggled to score a goal during and even got booed by his own fans π¬.
Argentina lost on pens to Uruguay in the QFs.
Argentina lost on pens to Uruguay in the QFs.
After an unfortunate exit from the 2011 Copa America, Batista was replaced by Alejandro Sabella, who was the guy who said "Messi has to be captain". Be aware - Messi was a multiple time Ballon d'Or winner by now who the Argentina NT just COULDN'T support.
Messi's form and scoring record improved significantly. He had scored only 17 goals in 61 matches under his previous managers, he scored 25 times in 32 appearances during the following three years leading up to the 2014 WC in Brazil under Sabella's leadership.
The 2014 World Cup:
Messi was the man. Messi was a different beast. He wanted this Cup. Free kicks, last minute winners to qualify his team into the knockouts. He did his best. Messi carried Argentina on his back to the World Cup finals. On his back.
Messi was the man. Messi was a different beast. He wanted this Cup. Free kicks, last minute winners to qualify his team into the knockouts. He did his best. Messi carried Argentina on his back to the World Cup finals. On his back.
Messi was undoubtedly the best player of the tournament. He had 4 goals and 1 Assist in 7 games in a tournament where he has basically 0 help. It was sheer agony & pain. He also won the WC golden ball but as we know, lost out to Germany 1-0 in the ET of the WC finals.
2015 Copa America:
Messi wanted to win something for Argentina, he wanted that acceptance and love his entire life. After reaching the WC finals, everyone though Argentina are favourites, and they were courtesy of Messi.
Messi's carried on his back the entire tournament.
Messi wanted to win something for Argentina, he wanted that acceptance and love his entire life. After reaching the WC finals, everyone though Argentina are favourites, and they were courtesy of Messi.
Messi's carried on his back the entire tournament.
Lot of scrappy moments, lot of goalless games, lot of low scoring games, Messi had 1 Goal & 3 assists playing primarily as a creator for his team and won the best player award.
Argentina lost in the finals to Chile 4-1 on pens. Only scorer? Messi.
Argentina lost in the finals to Chile 4-1 on pens. Only scorer? Messi.
2016 Copa America:
Messi was pissed off, and rightfully so. He's gotta have it this time, 3 opportunities in 3 years? Messi made it count. He had 5 goals & 4 assists in 5 games. Wow. He once again carried Argentina to the finals and then...?
Argentina lost to Chile on pens 4-2
Messi was pissed off, and rightfully so. He's gotta have it this time, 3 opportunities in 3 years? Messi made it count. He had 5 goals & 4 assists in 5 games. Wow. He once again carried Argentina to the finals and then...?
Argentina lost to Chile on pens 4-2
Messi missed his penalty in the shootout, the first time he's bottled a moment like that. 3 finals in 3 years, 3 carry jobs, and no trophy? Some of his countrymen doubting his passion for his nation. The captain gave everything on the pitch, and it wasn't enough. Pain.
Messi in this moment in the noble thought of "The team would be better without me" as he felt responsible despite him achieving super human feats in the last 3 years. He decided to retire from International football & the Argentina national team.
The world stood still as they heard this. It was a heat of the moment decision from Messi but he had never done this, everyone was shocked.
The Messi fans globally started a campaign to bring him back. Messi didn't really want to be done with Argentina... Right?
The Messi fans globally started a campaign to bring him back. Messi didn't really want to be done with Argentina... Right?
Ofcourse he didn't, it was a heat of the moment decision. Some stupid reporter comes and asks you a dumb question when you're at your most vulnerable, you're gonna say something in the heat of the moment.
"A lot of things went through my mind on the night of the final and I gave serious thought to quitting, but my love for my country and this shirt is too great."
β Messi reversing his decision from retiring on 12 August 2016 (just a month and a half after the Copa finals)
β Messi reversing his decision from retiring on 12 August 2016 (just a month and a half after the Copa finals)
Argentina were struggling to qualify for the World Cup in 2018. Messi was scoring crucial goals left, right and center. It wasn't enough, Argentina were 6th in the Comnebol qualifying, top 5 qualifying.
It came down to the last bloody game against Ecuador. Must win or Argentina doesn't qualify for the World Cup in 2018.
Ecuador score in the 1st minute of the game. 1-0. Dreams shattered. Right?
Nah, Leo Messi scored a hattrick to put his team into the World Cup with a 3-1 win.
Ecuador score in the 1st minute of the game. 1-0. Dreams shattered. Right?
Nah, Leo Messi scored a hattrick to put his team into the World Cup with a 3-1 win.
2018 World Cup:
The lesser said the better it is about this squad and Sampaoli as manager. It was a disaster class. Messi had to carry the team and be a player-coach during this tournament. He alone carried the team out of the group stage.
The lesser said the better it is about this squad and Sampaoli as manager. It was a disaster class. Messi had to carry the team and be a player-coach during this tournament. He alone carried the team out of the group stage.
Messi scored a worldie against Nigeria in the last group game and put his team through in 2nd place in the group and played against France in the R16.
He tried his best but the defense and team structure was non-existent which saw Argentina lose 4-3 in the end.
Another setback.
He tried his best but the defense and team structure was non-existent which saw Argentina lose 4-3 in the end.
Another setback.
The 2019 Copa America was no better. It was the same story. Messi in 6 Games - 1G - 1A. Not his best.
Argentina made it to the Semi-Finals losing to Brazil in a controversial tournament where a lot of things seemed to be against Messi and Argentina. Brazil beat them 2-0.
Argentina made it to the Semi-Finals losing to Brazil in a controversial tournament where a lot of things seemed to be against Messi and Argentina. Brazil beat them 2-0.
This is where the sombre tone of this story changes. Scaloni's story starts from after this Copa America defeat for him and his team. Post this Copa America, Messi's former teammate and now coach, Lionel Scaloni had a mission on his mind.
Scaloni and Messi together wanted to put together a beast of a team for Argentina, one that played for each other. However, everyone on this team played for Messi.
2021 Copa America:
Messi and Argentina were unstoppable. Argentina had a team for the first time ever, in their history. Messi had 4 goals and 5 assists in 7 games. Messi had help this time.
Argentina beat Brazil at the MaracanΓ£ 1-0 in the finals courtesy a Di Maria banger.
Messi and Argentina were unstoppable. Argentina had a team for the first time ever, in their history. Messi had 4 goals and 5 assists in 7 games. Messi had help this time.
Argentina beat Brazil at the MaracanΓ£ 1-0 in the finals courtesy a Di Maria banger.
This was it, finally it had happened. Messi had won something with Argentina. Argentina supported Messi. Messi had finally achieved something that eluded him for 15 years of his life.
From this point, Argentina were unstoppable, beating Italy in the Super Cup, with a fantastic performance and being the Champions of 2 continents. The Finalissima went 3-0 to Argentina. They had arrived.
2 titles back to back now, after none.
2 titles back to back now, after none.
Now that this was out of the way, the next target was Qatar 2022. Argentina were clinal. Going into the 2022 World Cup, Argentina are 36 games unbeaten, untouchable. What a set up... Right?
Well they lost their first game in a SHOCK to Saudi Arabia 2-1 after being in control.
Well they lost their first game in a SHOCK to Saudi Arabia 2-1 after being in control.
The worst possible start, followed up by 2 Messi masterclasses and a goal of the tournament worthy banger against Brazil, Argentina qualified top of the group into the R16.
We all know this story. Messi 4/6 man of the match awards, put his country into the finals.
We all know this story. Messi 4/6 man of the match awards, put his country into the finals.
Messi is now in the finals. Messi has scored 5 goals and 3 assists so far in 6 games with the final to go.
He's delivered once more for his team, for his fans, for his nation. Now, Argentina face France in the finals.
He's delivered once more for his team, for his fans, for his nation. Now, Argentina face France in the finals.
This thread isn't more about the numbers as much as it is about Messi's story and journey with Argentina. I'm sure if you guys want a stats bomb, you'll find it freely available.
It's been a beautiful ride, full of ups and downs, no matter what happens. A 35 year old Lionel Messi is reaching unbelievable feats. He's still the best player in the world, which is incredible... Isn't it?
Hope you guys enjoyed this thread. Took a lot of effort but I hope it was worth the wait.
I'll update it once the final ends... No matter what.
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I'll update it once the final ends... No matter what.
Like & RT this tweet
Follow me @kshitijshah23
Follow my IG @/kshitijshah10
Lol
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