With a nation on his back and a career full of mythical achievements, Lionel Messi pursued the Holy Grail of world’s football. For many years, the missing piece of his larger-than-life football story. A World Cup with the colors of the Albiceleste.
I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi. Messi is a genius.
2006: Messi’s first steps on the big stage
Messi’s FIFA World Cup journey started in 2006. Still carrying the label of Argentina’s new wonderkid, Messi was included in the 23-man squad of José Pékerman for the tournament in Germany.
After watching the opening match from the bench, Messi got his first playing time, first assist and first goal in a World Cup, in the 6-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro. Taking a spot at the starting XI of the final group match against the Netherlands, Messi then had his first taste of World Cup knockout football on the day of his 19th birthday in Argentina’s 2-1 extra-time win over Mexico.
classic goal messi 2006
2006 the story
2010: Maradona and Messi
Without always reaching the heights they were capable of, Argentina qualified from the group stage of the 2010 tournament with three victories.
Operating as more of a playmaker for the team, under legendary head coach Diego Maradona, Messi entered the knockout phase without having scored. In the round of 16, Messi helped the Albiceleste advance against Mexico, but then it was Germany that ended their hopes and dreams.
Argentina at the 2010 FIFA world cup
Argentina v Mexico | Round of 16 | 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
Greece v Argentina | Group B | 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
Argentina v Korea Republic | Group B | 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
Argentina v Nigeria | Group B | 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
2014: Close, but no cigar for Argentina
Messi traveled to Brazil after an injury-hit season with FC Barcelona, fueling doubts about his form. From the very first fixture, though, he managed to show otherwise as a goal in the 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzogovina was followed by a late strike against Iran and a double in a 3-2 victory against Nigeria.
In the round of 16, Messi was the architect of Angel Di Maria’s winner against Switzerland and a key factor of Argentina advancing beyond Belgium and the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively.
The final at the Maracana didn’t have a happy ending in store. The Albiceleste suffered a painful defeat after Mario Götze’s extra-time winner
Messi traveled to Brazil after an injury-hit season with FC Barcelona, fueling doubts about his form. From the very first fixture, though, he managed to show otherwise as a goal in the 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzogovina was followed by a late strike against Iran and a double in a 3-2 victory against Nigeria.
In the round of 16, Messi was the architect of Angel Di Maria’s winner against Switzerland and a key factor of Argentina advancing beyond Belgium and the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively.
The final at the Maracana didn’t have a happy ending in store. The Albiceleste suffered a painful defeat after Mario Götze’s extra-time winner, although Messi still walked away with the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
Herzogovina was followed by a late strike against Iran and a double in a 3-2 victory against Nigeria.
In the round of 16, Messi was the architect of Angel Di Maria’s winner against Switzerland and a key factor of Argentina advancing beyond Belgium and the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively.
The final at the Maracana didn’t have a happy ending in store. The Albiceleste suffered a painful defeat after Mario Götze’s extra-time winner, although Messi still walked away with the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
Lionel Messi Goal 64′ | Argentina v Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™
Lionel Messi Goal 90′ | Argentina v IR Iran | 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
Lionel Messi Goal 2′ | Nigeria v Argentina | 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
Lionel Messi Goal 45′ | Nigeria v Argentina | 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
2018: Uncomfortable early exit for Argentina
Four years after being one step away from winning the FIFA World Cup for a third time, Argentina struggled throughout their efforts in the 21st edition of the competition in Russia.
Messi managed to score only once, a goal-of-the-tournament contender against Nigeria, in a nerve-racking 2-1 win at the final match of the group stage.
That victory sent the Albiceleste into the round of 16, only to be eliminated by the eventual world champions France.
Lionel Andrés “Leo” Messi[B] (born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, he has set numerous records for individual accolades won throughout his professional footballing career, including eight Ballons d’Or, six European Golden Shoes, and being named the world’s best player by FIFA eight times.[D] Messi was named the greatest player of the 21st century by ESPN in 2024,[11] and in 2025, he was named the All Time Men’s World Best Player by the IFFHS. In 2020 and 2023 he was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, becoming the first team-sport athlete to win the award. He was among Time‘s 100 most influential people in the world in 2011, 2012, and 2023.
2022: A last shot at destiny
Argentina’s path to the top of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was a road paved with hardship.
Despite Messi scoring the opener, Argentina’s shock 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the group stage left the Albiceleste facing an unthinkable early exit.
But consecutive 2-0 victories against Mexico and Poland put them back on track, with Messi breaking the deadlock against the Mexicans and Argentina then securing qualification against Lewandowski and co.
Argentina on group stage
Argentina v Saudi Arabia | Group C | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ |
Argentina v Mexico | Group C | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ |
Poland v Argentina | Group C | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ |
A leader throughout the knockouts
With the opening goal in the 2-1 win against Australia, Messi celebrated his 1000th career game by scoring his first-ever World Cup knockout goal.
The quarter-final against the Netherlands was a nail-biter. Messi scored one and created another for Argentina, only for the Dutch to hit back with two late goals to take the game into extra-time and then penalties. In the shoot-out it was once again Messi that led the way for Argentina, with goalkeeper Emi Martinez helping his side progress 4-3.
To top his world-class display against the Dutch, Messi had kept an even greater one up his sleeve for the semi-final. Against 2018 finalists Croatia, Messi’s performance was another statement of intent. Not only did he score the opener but with a Messi-being
Argentina’s knockout route
Argentina v Australia | Round of 16 | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Netherlands v Argentina | Quarter-finals | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Argentina v Croatia | Semi-finals | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
The final of all finals
The final against France, was destined to go down in history as the most exciting FIFA World Cup final of modern history. At the Lusail Stadium, Argentina reached a two-goal advantage thanks to Messi’s penalty strike and a goal from Di Maria.
Kylian Mbappé brought the game level before Messi found a second goal on 108th minute of the final. Mbappé would add another one to tie the match and the title was settled in penalties. With Lionel Messi converting his first kick for Argentina, the Albiceleste prevailed with 4-2 and came away with the crown.
In his final FIFA World Cup match, Messi somehow managed to climb even higher to the football Pantheon.
Argentina 2022 FIFA world cup celebrate
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Argentina fans celebrate in Buenos Aires
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