One word to sum up Leo Messi’s Argentina career : Heartbreak

Lionel Messi’s international career has been virtually the polar opposite of his club career

Lionel Messi has won 8 league titles and 12 cups with Barcelona in 14 seasons with the club. On the other hand, he has won just one title for the senior side in his Argentina career, the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal.

Messi’s journey as an international footballer began in 2005, where he represented Argentina’s U-20 side in the FIFA World Youth Championship and the South American U-20 Championship. He led his team to a title in the international event, finishing as top scorer with 6 goals. In the continental event, Argentina were third-placed, with Messi scoring 5.

After his success with the youth team, José Pékerman called him up to the senior side. In his debut for the senior team, he was sent off for a perceived elbowing. He was heartbroken, and he made his return to the team by winning a penalty.

Then, he became a regular for La Albiceleste. He scored his first goal against Croatia on 1st March, 2006. He picked up a snag which jeopardised his presence in the World Cup squad but he shook it off in time for the premier event.

Messi played in the World Cup but could make just 3 appearances, only 1 of which was a start. He scored and assisted one goal each. He was benched in the quarter-final against Germany, which the team lost to Germany on penalties.

José Pékerman was criticised for not playing Messi in that game, and he subsequently resigned. Alfio Basile succeeded the Argentine coach, but he did not give Messi the attention he deserved. Messi was always second-fiddle to Juan Román Riquelme.

In the 2007 Copa América, he scored and set up two goals each. He was on the bench yet again as Argentina lost 3-0 to a weak Brazil team in the final. Lionel Messi had to be content with a runners medal for the first time in his career, not knowing he would have to accept many more.

But Sergio Batista knew his potential. He was initially stopped from representing Argentina in the 2008 Summer Olympics as it coincided with the Champions League qualifiers. But Pep Guardiola stepped in and ensured that Messi would play for his nation.

Lionel Messi appeared in 8 matches, scoring 2 goals and assisting 4. He assisted the only goal in the final. But as he shone in the Olympics and for Barcelona, the AFA hired the legendary Diego Maradona.

After consultation with Messi, Maradona decided on a 4-3-1-2 formation for the 2010 World Cup finals. The legend has guided Argentina to the World Cup after a poor qualification campaign. But he could not organize his defence well enough, which led to Germany thrashing the side 4-0 in the quarter-finals.

Lionel Messi was the subject of widespread criticism during this phase. The people of Argentine had expected the best player in the world to lead an average side to the title, like the manager had done in 1986. But after Germany knocked out La Albiceleste, supporters blasted Messi for not replicating his performances for Barcelona at the international level. They even alleged that the maestro cared less about his country than his club.

Anyway, the Argentina Football Association fired Diego Maradona after the World Cup. The AFA hired Sergio Batista, the former U-20 coach to replace him. Batista’s tactical approach was to orchestrate his side around Leo Messi.

He placed him in a 4-3-3, so he could adapt better (Guardiola used 4-3-3 at Barcelona). Messi was employed as a false nine, but still couldn’t replicate his success at club level. At the 2011 Copa América hosted by Argentina, the fans booed him and his morale was at an all-time low. He couldn’t combine well with popular forward Carlos Tevez, and it resulted in poor performances. Although he did well when Tevez was benched, he couldn’t lead Argentina to a victory as Uruguay knocked them out on penalties in the quarter-final.

The AFA sacked Sergio Batista as a result and hired Alejandro Sabella. The local and unheralded coach was on good terms with Messi. He brought in players with whom Messi was comfortable with, and dismissed the likes of Carlos Tevez. Gradually, Messi took over as captain and Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano assumed vice-captaincy.

With the captain’s armband, Lionel Messi was hugely inspired and scored 12 goals in 9 appearances for La Albiceleste in 2012. Argentina even topped the 2014 World Cup qualifying group with Messi leading the side. Messi finished as second-highest scorer in the campaign, with 10 goals.

Messi went into the World Cup on a low, having had a trophyless season with Barcelona. But he surprised everyone in Brazil, scoring 4 goals and created many chances. He was undoubtedly Argentina’s best player leading up to the final against Germany.

The final was a classic case of ‘new book, same old story”. Nothing could separate the two sides for the entirety of the match, with extra time required. The first half of extra half was also goalless. Both sides were gearing up for a penalty shootout, but Mario Götze broke the hearts of millions of fans as well as Lionel Messi’s with a strike in the 113th minute.

The same had happened in the 1990 World Cup final with the same teams. Diego Maradona couldn’t score or create a goal for the majority of the match. But Andreas Brehme broke the deadlock with a 85th minute free-kick, which turned out to be decisive.

As Lionel Messi had to settle for yet another runners-up medal, Alejandro Sabella handed in his resignation. Gerardo Martino took over as coach, and he led the Argentina team into the 2015 Copa América.

Lionel Messi led from the front yet again, this time as a playmaker. He provided 6 assists as Sergio Agüero and Gonzalo Higuaín scored the goals. In the final against Chile, it was a 0-0 draw after extra time. But it was the same thing again, with a 4-1 loss on penalties.

Messi went into the Copa América Centenario determined to win the trophy. This time, he got involved in the scoring as he put 5 in the back of the net. He also provided 5 assists. The final again pitched La Albiceleste against Chile.

But the story didn’t change. It was a goalless draw again and the penalty shootout resulted in a second successive Copa América win for Chile. Then, Lionel Messi took the hardest decision in his career, under fire from the fans.

Leo Messi retired from international football on 26th June, 2016. It was followed by a flurry of requests from the world to make a comeback. Even Argentina president Mauricio Macri pleaded with Messi to return.

Under pressure, Messi announced his return on 12th August, hardly 2 months after retiring. But it has not exactly been the best of times for Argentina since he overturned his retirement. He has struggled to gel with his teammates, and even lost his renowned cool state of mind in one qualifier.

But he has the ability to turn it around for La Albiceleste. Jorge Sampaoli has masterminded a Copa América triumph with Chile and is a great tactician. But everything hinges on the team’s performance in Russia.

The squad has some brilliant attacking players but lacks in the defensive department. The defence needs to step things up in order for Lionel Messi to win an international tournament with Argentina.

Next: Argentina vs Peru : Expected Starting XI

It still remains to be seen if Messi’s career follows a similar pattern to Pelé or Eusébio.