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Looking back at Messi's international career - The Struggles
The World Cup is the only trophy that Lionel Messi has not won in his illustrious career. On Sunday he gets the chance to finally lift it. It will potentially be the crowning moment of what has been a series of ups and downs in the Argentina jersey for him, as he has said that the final would be his last game for the country, irrespective of the result.
Messi's tryst with the national team has been a complex one, often sporting a theme of so close yet so far. Make no mistake, individually he has broken record after record for his country. However collective success, that he has so deeply desired, kept evading him and his teammates. In 2005, he made his debut for them and in 2007, they came second in the Copa America. But the lowest of lows and highest of highs collided in a period between 2014-16. In the 2014 World Cup, Messi won the Golden Ball as the best player in tournament but Argentina lost in the final to Germany. Next year, he was the Most Valuable Player in the Copa America but Argentina lost again in the final, this time to Chile. 2016 however was the lowest point. Argentina would lose to Chile in the Copa America final in a penalty shootout, with Messi skying his effort. An inconsolable Messi would go on to retire from international duty after the game, saying that ,"I tried my hardest. The team has ended for me, a decision made."
Losing 3 consecutive major finals would have a detrimental effect on anyone's mental health, regardless of their greatness. That coupled with the constant Maradona comparisons and a fractured relationship with the Argentine public had left him drained.
He would return though, guiding Argentina to qualification for the 2018 World Cup with a phenomenal hattrick against Ecuador in difficult circumstances. But the story would be the same - both in the World Cup and the Copa America in 2019. The team was excessively mediocre and Messi looked burdened with the task of carrying them, and was unsuccessful.
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