It has been long coming for Lionel Messi with the Argentina National Team, after series of heartbreaks on the international stage, Copa America 2020 finally produces gold, a deserved one, which he will forever relish, and finally makes him feel relevant in the history books of his nation.
Since their 2-1 win over Mexico in the final of the 1993 Copa America, Argentina have reached five finals in major tournaments, four Copa America, one FIFA World Cup, without a win in any until in their six final, and the 47th edition of the Copa America in 2021.
They lost the first two of the finals, in the South American Nations Cup to Brazil in consecutive years, 2004 and 2007, and did the same against Chile, in 2015 and 2016.
Lionel Messi was not a part of the 2004 squad but the Barcelona captain has been a part of the struggles and heartbreak, since the 2007 final.
Hardly has the six time Balon d or winner ever had a poor tournament for his Nation in any of his outing, except in the Copa America 2011, where they exit the tournament in the knockout rounds. But in most of the other campaigns, a final win had always been the missing piece.
In 2007, his first Copa America and second major tournament for Argentina, just a year after the World Cup in Germany, he was named in the team of the tournament following his stellar performances, which saw him scored twice on their way to final loss.
He returned for the Copa America again in 2011, just a year after his Argentina side had been knocked out of the FIFA World Cup in a 4-0 hammering in the hands of Germany in the quarter finals.
This time, the tournament was staged in Argentina, but unfortunately, they could not go past the quarter final round after their penalty shootout loss to eventual Champions, Uruguay.
In the 2014 World Cup, in Brazil, Messi played an important role in getting Argentina into the final, which was then tagged the world best player versus the world best team.
In the end, it was not meant to be for Lionel Messi and Argentina again, as they lost to a lone goal scored in the second half of extra time by Mario Gotze. Lionel Messi’s brilliance saw him named the best player of the tournament.
One year on, he reached yet another final, this time in the Copa America 2015, only to be beaten on penalties by Chile, after the match ended goalless.
Lionel Messi became a victim of his teammates’ inability to convert from the spot on the night, after he took and scored Argentina’s first penalty, Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega were unable to beat the Goalkeeper as Chile won 4-1 in the shootout.
In 2016, at the Copa centenario, they reached another final, facing the same opponent that beat them in the final the previous year but the could not twist the tie, as Chile again, again emerged victorious from another shootout.
Messi though will have little to complain, as it was him, who took and missed Argentina’s first kick of the shootout before Lucas Biglia missed and Chile won 4-2.
Lionel Messi took the outcome of the final so bad that he announced his retirement from the national team. For a player who is never away from success at club level, he could not live with the heartache tormenting him whenever on duty with his Nation.
He did however returned and help Argentina sealed qualification for the World Cup in 2018 in Russia, but it was another underwhelming outing, as they were knocked out after a 4-3 loss in the round of 16 to eventual Champions France.
Messi again took time away from the internationals, missing a couple of Argentina’s games after the World Cup. His absence was noticed by media who had to enquire the situation from coach, Lionel Scaloni.
“I hope Messi is in that future, he is the best player in the world. If he is not, we should try to play as a team, that is the idea, that we play as a team and we are difficult to beat.” Scaloni told reporters.
Messi however returned again, ahead of the 2019 Copa America, where Argentina lost out to Brazil in the semi finals and stayed with the team, the skipper continued to belief and stayed with his nation despite the hurt.
His efforts were finally crowned at Copa America 2020 in Brazil. The captain, leader and magician led by example and recorded the most goals, most assists, and most man of the match awards on his way to winning the best player of the tournament.
But these individual awards will mean nothing to Messi as he had acquired more than lots in his illustrious career. His main source of joy was that special moment exchange involving Rodrigo de Paul and Angel Di Maria, when the later beat Ederson to fire in the Brazil goal.
Argentina players celebrate Lionel Messi after Copa triumph. Photo Credits: Facebook/ Sachin Tendulkar Lionel Messi will forever relish and cherish the moment. Arguably the best player of all time, he finally gets the missing piece, an international trophy at senior level, with his country, Argentina.
Moreso, his status in the debate of the greatest footballer of all time becomes more solidified, and only few will bet against him winning a seventh Balon D or in the coming ceremony.
