Throwback: How Copa America final loss led to Lionel Messi's retirement from international football

Lionel Messi since then has won one Copa America and one world cup.

The 8-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi, is one of the greatest players of his generation, with his record-breaking achievements and trophies amassed throughout his illustrious career cemented in the history books of football forever.

However, there was also a time when, amidst all the club success with Barcelona, Messi consistently failed to achieve international glory with Argentina on the grandest of stages.

It all started in the 2007 Copa América, when Argentina lost 3-0 to Brazil in the final, with a young Messi unable to get his nation over the line.

A bigger heartbreak was in store for him as Argentina lost the 2014 FIFA World Cup final to Germany by a narrow 1-0 margin, courtesy of a Mario Götze winner in extra time. While Messi won the Golden Ball for being the best player of the tournament, he couldn’t lead his team to the ultimate triumph.

In the 2015 Copa America final, Messi suffered his third successive heartbreak when La Albiceleste lost to Chile on penalties (4-1) after a goalless draw at the end of extra time.

After a strong run in the 2016 Copa América Centenario, Argentina and Messi were on course to avenge their last final loss and end their long-awaited trophy drought. However, in an unbelievable turn of events, Argentina again lost to Chile in the final on penalties (4-2), with Lionel Messi uncharacteristically missing his spot kick to fail for the fourth consecutive final in an Argentina shirt.

This defeat proved to be the tipping point for Lionel Messi, as he announced his retirement from international football, sending shockwaves throughout the football world.

However, his international retirement was short-lived. After a nationwide outcry and the consistent persuasion of several key figures, Messi marked his return to the Argentina national team, re-energized and ready to help his nation at a time of crisis.

For the next few years, Argentina were still unable to win any major silverware as they suffered knockout round exits from the 2018 World Cup by France and the 2019 Copa America by Brazil.

However, the appointment of coach Lionel Scaloni changed La Albiceleste’s fortune forever. Messi and Argentina were finally able to end their trophy hiatus with the 2021 Copa America triumph over Brazil, ending their curse in major tournament finals in the process. Messi was the star for Argentina, as he was awarded Player of the Tournament for his stellar performances.

Argentina and Messi carried this momentum into the 2022 World Cup as well, where they were finally able to win the ultimate coveted prize in football by defeating France on penalties (4-2) in the final.

Even in the twilight of his career, Lionel Messi is still the best player in Argentina, and he looks to lead this talented and experienced squad to yet another international glory in the 2024 Copa America.

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