Lionel Messi leaves Argentina with a status that few would have imagined when he started with the Albiceleste. Long compared to Diego Maradona and criticized for his failures with the selection, the number 10 finally conquered his country.
When Messi wore Argentina's jersey for the first time, expectations were already immense. His talent with FC Barcelona quickly made him the announced successor of Diego Maradona in the heart of Argentina. Cthis comparison would also become a weight.
For several years Messi has had a complicated relationship with a part of the Argentine public. His exceptional club performance was not enough. With the selection, he had to win trophies.
The defeats that fed the critics
The first major disillusionments gradually reinforced criticism;Argentina lost the final of the 2014 World Cup against Germany. Two years later, she was still in the Copa América final against Chile;After the last defeat, Messi even announced his international retirement before returning to his decision a few months later.
The problem then exceeded the mere sporting result. Part of the debate focused on his relationship with Argentina and his ability to reproduce with selection what he was doing with Barcelona;Messi appeared condemned to be permanently compared to Maradona;Then the story turned.
2021, the beginning of another story
The Copa America 2021 marked a major turning point.
Argentina won in Brazil and Messi finally won his first major trophy with the national team. This victory freed the player, but it began to profoundly change his relationship with the public.
The following year Argentina won the Finalissima against Italy;Then came the 2022 World Cup;In Qatar, Messi led the Albiceleste to his third world sacre. He scored twice in the final against France and finished the competition with the best player trophy.
This time, the comparison with Maradona was no longer used solely to highlight what was missing in Messi;It was now used to tell two Argentine legends.
The country has finally adopted
Global success has definitely changed Messi;The Copa América 2024 then confirmed this new period. Argentina retained its continental title and Messi continued to record with selection;His international history, once told through his lost finals, turned into a story of conquests.
At the time of his farewell, Messi thus leaves an immense trace. He finished his course with more than 200 selections and more than 120 goals with Argentina, winning the main trophies available with the Albiceleste.
His greatest legacy could eventually be elsewhere;Messi won not only with Argentina. He managed to transform a relationship long marked by doubt into a love story with an entire country.
His last game at the Monumental, with a 3-0 win over Benin and a final goal, took on a symbolic look;The child that Argentina had long invited to prove its worth now leaves the international scene as one of the greatest heroes in its history.
