The Copa America final is almost upon us and who could have asked for a better tie. Argentina against Brazil, an all-time classic, what a treat for football fans all around the world. The world is currently torn into two sides, each side showing their undying support for the nation they support. Yes, Brazil and Argentina are probably the two nations everyone grew up watching. However, this battle is not just a clash of the titans, it is much more than that for one player, his name is Lionel Messi.
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The Argentine has played in international competitions finals four times before, however, he has been unsuccessful in lifting any international trophy with the team. In 2007, Messi played in his first major international tournament. Argentina played against Brazil in the Copa America finals in Venezuela; however, the boys in blue and white ended up being thrashed 3-0. His next finals was the big one, the FIFA World Cup finals in 2014 and although Argentina started off quite well, they ultimately lost 1-0 to Germany.
Messi then went on to lose two more finals in consecutive Copa America finals in the years 2015 and 2016. Both the losses were against a strong Chile side and the matches went to the penalty shootout. After the second final loss against Chile, the now six-time Ballon d’Or winner announced his retirement from international football. He reversed his decision quickly, claiming that he announced his retirement at the heat of the moment and that he loved his country too much to quit.
This will be his fifth international finals and it could also be his last, thus it is only fitting that it is against the country that denied him his trophy the first time. A win would secure Messi’s legacy in the hearts of the Argentines and in the streets of the country. However, a loss would mean that Messi will forever remain in the shadows of Diego Maradona. Here are five consequences the Copa America finals will have on Messi’s legacy in football.
#1 Win: International trophy added to his collection
Lionel Messi has won every trophy there is to win in club football. He started from the depths of La Masia and then with the guidance of Ronaldinho and Pep Guardiola, he became one of the best players the world had ever seen. The magician has won every trophy at club level that he could win, multiple times. He has won many individual accolades as well at both club level and at the international level however, the international trophies have always evaded him, one way or another.
Messi has clearly stated several times that he does not want to win any more individual trophies, yes, he is a competitive player and wants to win trophies however, he wants the whole team to win as well. That is the reason why it hurts him to see no international trophy in his cabinet. A win in this year’s finals would finally end his pain and see him finishing his collection, barring the World Cup of course, however, he will have another chance to grab that as well.
#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.
#3 Win: End Argentina’s trophy drought
Argentina last won a major trophy in 1993, beating Mexico in the finals of the Copa America. It has been 28 years since then and four finals later, they have nothing to show for themselves. Argentia were once considered the best and most intimidating team in the world, and they were up there with the likes of Brazil, Italy, and Germany. However, since the mid-90s, the nation has lost its fearful ways. While Brazil also had their fair share of lows, the men in yellow managed to bring an end to their trophy drought in 2019.
It is time for the Argentine squad to shape up and finally bring an end to this woeful drought and it is time for Messi to lead the way to their victory. While Messi is not single-handedly pulling the team, he is definitely the most talented player on the team and the one with the most experience. He needs to guide his team to victory, and be the captain of the ship. It has been a painful past year for the Argentines, after the death of their icon, Maradona, and maybe Messi can be their beacon of light by finally winning a trophy in the iconic blue and white shirt.
#4 Loss: The Copa America might never end up in his arms
While Messi still has a chance of lifting the world cup next year, it is highly unlikely that the player will participate in another Copa America. This year’s finals could be his last chance of winning the prestigious continental trophy. Copa America has a rich history behind it and Argentina were always strong favorites in the competition. The Blue and Whites have won the competition 14 times, only once less than Uruguay.
Thus, it’s not just about Messi holding the trophy, it is also about Argentina restoring their dominance in American football. After two heartbreaking finals for Messi, it is the trophy he will be wanting to win the most. His last time in the finals resulted in Argentina losing out in the finals. That was the first time ever that Messi missed in a penalty shootout. Winning it this year will give him the satisfaction of letting go of the past.
#5 Win: Lionel Messi will finally earn his peace
Many great players like Roberto Baggio, Steven Gerrard, Gianluigi Buffon, left the game unsatisfied. They all had one trophy or the other missing from their collection. For Baggio it was the prestigious World Cup, for Gerrard it was the Premier League, and for Buffon it was the Champions League. All these players are legends in the footballing world however, they could not achieve what they wanted during their careers and that must have haunted them for a long time.
It is the same with Messi, although he may seem like an alien on the pitch, he is a human after all and he feels the same emotions as the rest of us. After unsuccessfully leaving four major finals, the Argentine must be tired of his inability to win anything for Argentina. Although he is one of the most celebrated figures in his home country, he will not have mental peace if he does not win anything for them. Thus, if he is able to bring them the Copa America this year, he can finally rest easy by knowing that he will forever be imprinted in the hearts of every Argentine.
Can Lionel Messi help Argentina beat Brazil?