+34
A comprehensive look at Lionel Messi's turbulent early years with Argentina, the series of disappointments in World Cups and Copa América finals, his brief retirement, and the ultimate redemption achieved under coach Lionel Scaloni, culminating in a Copa América win and a World Cup victory.
Lionel Messi's path with the Argentina national side has been a roller‑coaster of early setbacks, near‑misses and, finally, redemption. When the young forward made his first appearance in a friendly against Hungary he was sent off after less than two minutes, a moment that was later described by pundit Tim Vickery as a crime against football.
The incident set a tone of frustration that would follow him through several major tournaments. At the 2006 World Cup he became the youngest Argentine to score at a finals, netting a late strike in a 6‑0 rout of Serbia and Montenegro, yet that was the only goal he contributed as Argentina fell in the quarter‑finals to Germany on penalties.
Manager Jose Pekerman omitted him for the decisive shoot‑out, preferring other options and sparking a debate about the youngster's role in a pressure‑filled match. Subsequent tournaments only deepened the sense of unfulfilled potential.
In the 2010 World Cup Messi entered as an automatic starter after winning his first Ballon d'Or, but the team, now led by Diego Maradona as coach, stumbled in the group stage and were eliminated by Germany with a 4‑0 loss in the quarter‑finals, leaving Messi scoreless and the Argentine side tactically disjointed. The 2014 edition looked promising; Messi scored four times, earned the tournament's best player award and carried Argentina to a final against Germany, only to be denied a historic triumph after a 1‑0 extra‑time defeat.
The loss marked the third consecutive World Cup final loss for the nation and left Messi visibly exhausted and unable to influence the match in any meaningful way. The pattern of disappointment continued in the Copa América finals of 2015 and 2016, where Argentina fell to Chile on penalties on both occasions.
The second defeat prompted a brief retirement from international football at the age of 29, with the star declaring that his time with the national team was over and that the pain of not winning a major trophy was overwhelming. A change of coaching staff followed, with Jorge Sampaoli - the architect of Chile's successful Copa América campaign - taking over, but the partnership proved turbulent, rife with rumours of power struggles and accusations that Messi was dictating tactics.
After another lackluster showing at the 2018 World Cup, Messi faced the prospect of ending his international career entirely. The appointment of Lionel Scaloni in 2018, a former teammate who had been promoted to caretaker manager under difficult financial circumstances, altered the narrative dramatically. Initially dismissed by many, including Diego Maradona, Scaloni's low‑profile approach centred on eliminating ego and building a system that maximised Messi's strengths.
As football historian Mark Orton explained, Scaloni asked Messi directly what he needed to make the team work and then crafted the squad accordingly. The results were immediate. Under Scaloni's guidance Argentina finished third at the 2019 Copa América, a tournament marred by controversial refereeing in a semi‑final loss to Brazil, yet it hinted at a renewed competitive edge.
In 2021 the team finally captured the Copa América title, ending a 28‑year drought, with Messi playing a pivotal role and finally lifting a major trophy with his country. This triumph was followed by a World Cup victory in 2022, cementing Messi's legacy as one of the sport's greatest ever players and transforming a career once defined by near‑misses into a story of ultimate redemption.
The journey illustrates how patience, strategic leadership and a willingness to place the collective above the individual can reshape even the most storied of football careers
Lionel Messi Argentina National Team World Cup Copa América Lionel Scaloni
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Fiona Murtagh wins silver medal at World Rowing ChampionshipsMeanwhile, Fintan McCarthy finished fifth in the men’s single sculls B final.
Read more »
Finn Lynch Finishes Eighth at ILCA7 World Championships in Dún Laoghaire as Vadnai Claims GoldIreland's Finn Lynch delivered a strong performance to finish eighth overall at the ILCA7 World Championships in Dún Laoghaire, while Hungary's Jonathan Vadnai was crowned world champion after a thrilling final day in Dublin Bay.
Read more »
Lionel Messi Announces Retirement from Argentina National TeamFootball legend Lionel Messi bids an emotional farewell to the Argentine national team, reflecting on a career of historic achievements and World Cup glory.
Read more »
Lionel Messi Announces International Retirement After Historic CareerFollowing a storied career including a World Cup title and two Copa America trophies, Lionel Messi has officially retired from representing Argentina.
Read more »