Lionel Messi and Argentina -- one of the greatest legacies in the history of sport comes to an end. The Inter Miami striker has announced his decision to leave the Albiceleste and retire from international football. The news, perhaps unexpected given the timing, shocked the world and the players who had shared the dressing room with Messi during his final years with the national team.
In 2022, Argentina won the World Cup for the first time since 1986, but things weren't always great between Messi and the national team. In 2016, he announced his retirement from international football for the first time after a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat vs. Chile in the Copa America final before changing his mind, a decision that would go on to define the most successful chapter of his career.
Until the 2022 World Cup, the international career of Messi was deeply affected by the comparison with Diego Armando Maradona, who won the 1986 World Cup with Argentina in Mexico and also led Messi and his teammates as manager at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The parallels were obvious, but being compared to his childhood idol was a burden few could have carried. Messi struggled, suffered, failed but then bounced back and changed the whole story by winning one World Cup and two Copa America titles in the last five years.
He leaves the national team as a hero, having earned the status of a national icon. Let's go back to 2006, his first World Cup with Argentina and take a glance at all the memories of his career with Argentina. Messi's story with Argentina starts one year before the 2006 World Cup when he's part of the roster that wins the 2005 Under-20 World Cup with Argentina, a tournament where he shines, scoring six goals in seven games, winning the Golden Ball of the tournament and the Golden Boot.
The first team manager, Jose Pekerman, called him to make his debut but Messi was sent off just minutes after coming on following an altercation with Hungarian defender Vilmos Vanczak. The following summer, things were much different. The world was beginning to discover him as he made his first appearances for Barcelona's first team, and it was the 2006 World Cup that truly marked the moment when the world began to recognize that a world-class player was emerging. 20 years of Messi magic. 🥹16 June 2006.
The day Lionel Messi made his #FIFAWorldCup debut. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/bGlqKT2WiB Despite an injury that affected his preparation for the World Cup, Messi made his debut in the second match of the group stage, officially becoming the youngest ever player to wear the Argentinian jersey at the World Cup. Coming on in the 74th minute against Serbia and Montenegro, he needed just a few moments to make his mark, providing the assist for Hernan Crespo's goal in Argentina's 6–0 victory. In the stands that day, Maradona could be seen smiling and applauding the player who was already being hailed as his successor.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
