What the Copa Final result means for Lionel Messi’s legacy

#2 Loss: Remain in the shadow of Maradona and ongoing battle with Cristiano Ronaldo

While Messi might be the most technically gifted player the world has ever seen, he may always be behind his idol Maradona and his rival Ronaldo, due to his lack of international trophies. Maradona is not only considered a god among men due to his club career but also due to his 1986 World Cup campaign. The legend single-handedly, literally, lifted the team to international glory. No one can forget his mesmerizing runs, his out-of-this-world goal, and his infamous hand of God.

Messi, on the other hand, has never lifted a major international trophy and that has dented his image in Argentina, when the world’s best player is from your nation, you would expect your nation to win multiple international trophies but Messi has failed to deliver. His main rival throughout his life, Cristiano Ronaldo, faced the same criticism as Messi however, in 2016, Ronaldo finally broke his dud and won the prestigious Euros. He then went on to win the first UEFA Nations League in 2019. Many supporters now state that Ronaldo is more successful than Messi due to his international glory and another loss would just add to that argument.