Unyielding: The Journey of Lionel Messi:

Chapter 5: The Struggle for National Glory

Lionel Messi’s journey with Argentina was always marked by a deep sense of national pride, but it was also a path laden with immense pressure and unrelenting expectations. Unlike his meteoric rise with Barcelona, Messi’s journey with his national team was filled with struggles, heartbreak, and doubt. For many years, it seemed that no matter how well Messi played, no matter how many records he broke or goals he scored, the elusive international glory remained just beyond his reach.

The weight of Argentina’s footballing history was heavy on Messi’s shoulders. Argentina was a nation steeped in footballing greatness, with legends like Diego Maradona and Juan Román Riquelme setting the standard for what it meant to wear the national jersey. Messi, though undeniably gifted, was constantly compared to these giants of the game, and the pressure to succeed in international tournaments was immense. He was expected to lead Argentina to victory in every World Cup and Copa América, to carry the hopes of millions of fans on his back.

But for years, Messi’s national team story was a tale of near-misses. In the 2014 World Cup, Argentina reached the final, a historic achievement, but the dream of lifting the trophy was crushed by Germany in a 1-0 defeat in extra time. The pain of that loss lingered long after the final whistle, and it seemed to define Messi’s international career. A similar fate befell him in the Copa América, with two heartbreaking final losses in 2007 and again in 2015, both of which ended in defeat to rivals Chile. Each failure added to the growing narrative that Messi, despite his brilliance, could not deliver when it mattered most on the international stage.

The media, ever hungry for stories and scandal, played a crucial role in amplifying the pressure. The Argentine press, once enamored with Messi’s rise, began to criticize him relentlessly. The narrative shifted from admiration to scrutiny. His failures in major tournaments were seen as personal shortcomings, and he was often painted as a player who could not replicate his Barcelona magic with the national team. The media’s harsh criticism was not just from the press but also from a passionate footballing public that, despite adoring him as a player, held him to impossible standards. The contrast between Messi’s club success and his international struggles only deepened the divide. While Barcelona’s dominance in Europe seemed to elevate him to godlike status, his inability to lead Argentina to a major victory became a source of growing frustration.

The toll of this constant pressure and the media’s harsh judgment weighed heavily on Messi’s shoulders. It reached a breaking point in 2016, after another devastating Copa América final loss to Chile. Messi, exhausted and emotionally drained, announced his temporary retirement from international football. The news sent shockwaves through Argentina and the footballing world. Here was the player who had given everything for his country, who had faced endless criticism, and who, in the face of failure, chose to step away. It was a moment of profound despair, not just for Messi, but for a nation that had invested so much in the hope that he could bring glory to Argentina.

Messi’s retirement, however, was short-lived. After a few months of reflection, and with the weight of unfinished business hanging over him, Messi made the emotional decision to return to the national team. His return was not just a personal triumph but a moment of redemption for both Messi and the country that had doubted him. His love for Argentina, his determination to succeed, and his unwavering commitment to his national team were more powerful than the criticism or the losses he had endured. Messi understood that, for all his individual success, he would never truly be complete without the ultimate victory with his country.

In the years that followed, Messi continued to give his all for Argentina, leading them to several more near-misses. But his persistence, his refusal to be defeated by the failures of the past, was a testament to his character. And finally, in 2021, Messi achieved what many thought was impossible. He led Argentina to victory in the Copa América, defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final. It was a moment of vindication, not just for Messi, but for every fan who had believed in him. The joy on Messi’s face, as he lifted the trophy for the first time with his national team, was a culmination of years of struggle, sacrifice, and perseverance.

The victory was more than just a triumph of skill; it was a triumph of the human spirit. Messi had faced the harshest criticism, the deepest disappointments, and yet, he had never given up. The moment he lifted the Copa América trophy was not just a victory for Argentina—it was a victory for resilience, for never losing faith in one’s own abilities, even in the face of overwhelming doubt.

Messi’s struggles with Argentina were a testament to the complexities of greatness. The expectations placed on him, the criticisms he faced, and the emotional toll of constant failure shaped his character and his legacy. But in the end, it was his perseverance, his refusal to accept defeat, and his unwavering dedication to his country that defined his journey. Messi proved to the world that true greatness isn’t just about trophies; it’s about the heart and soul you pour into every challenge, every setback, and every moment of triumph.