Lionel
Messi is one of the most decorated footballers of all time, having won
everything on offer with Barcelona on his way to becoming one of the immortals of
the sport. However, his story with Argentina is one of anguish and despair,
having never lifted a major trophy with his national team.

While emerging
as one of the best players in the world during his initial days, Messi drew
comparisons with the great Diego Maradona for his mesmeric dribbling and his
‘god-gifted’ ability. In June, 2005, at the age of 17, Messi won the Golden Ball and led
Argentina to glory in the FIFA World Youth Championship, as Maradona did in
1979.

Two years
later, he even recreated Maradona’s iconic World Cup semi-final goal against
England, as he beat half the Getafe team from the half-way line, rounded the
keeper and scored into an empty net.

Messi was touted
to lead Argentina to World Cup glory, just like Maradona did in 1986. However, the
Barcelona talisman has suffered four final heartbreaks with his national team.

Messi was the
best player at the 2007 Copa America, but Argentina was handed a surprise
defeat by a depleted Brazil, losing 3-0 in the final.

He was then the captain of
the team that reached the final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. That was
the first of the three finals Argentina lost in three years, as Mario Gotze scored an
extra-time winner to crown Germany champions.

And being awarded the Golden Ball
was little consolation for Messi.

Also Read | Colombia start Copa America with 1-0 win over Ecuador

The Barcelona ace was
in inspired form and Argentina were the odds-on title favourites in the 2015
and 2016 editions of the Copa America. But it was as if he was destined to
watch Chile lift both the trophies, as Argentina lost penalty shoot-outs on both occassions.

After the second defeat, Messi announced retirement from international football on the back of
years of criticisms for failing to lead Argentina to a title.

However, he
reversed his decision when Argentina was on the brink of missing out on the World Cup in 2018, for the first time since 1970. He then secured Argentina’s World Cup berth with
a hattrick in the final qualifier, a comeback 3-1 win against Ecuador.

Also Read | Brazil start Copa America defence with a win against Venezuela

Messi then
ensured Argentina’s progression to the knockouts with a match-winning
performance against Nigeria in the final group game, but was once again knocked
out as Kylian Mbappe powered France to a 4-3 win in the round of 16.

The 2019
Copa America saw Argentina beaten 2-0 in the semi-finals by hosts and eventual
winners Brazil. The red mist descended on Messi as he was involved in an
altercation with Chile’s Gary Medel in the third-place match, which led to both
players being sent off.

Argentina will now seek to end their trophy-drought since winning the 1993 South
American championship in the delayed Copa America 2021, starting their
campaign against Chile. The ‘Albiceleste’ come into the tournament on the back
of two consecutive draws in their 2022 World Cup qualifiers – against Chile and
Colombia – and are not among the top contenders for the title.

But Messi
is as decisive as ever, having contributed 52 goals in 47 games across
competitions for Barcelona in the 2020-21 season. And at 33, this may be
Messi’s last chance to lift a major trophy with Argentina.