After years of disappointment and bitter nights, Lionel Messi has finally led Argentina to glory in 2021 and the climax with the 2022 World Cup. Messi’s journey with the Albiceleste to success has been compared to the exodus of Moses through the desert, facing tough battles against the press and his own people, culminating in his temporary withdrawal after the 2016 Copa América.
Antonio Mohamed, a former television commentator, shared an encounter with Messi after the final against Chile in 2016, where Messi expressed his frustration and disappointment. At that time, Messi was far from being seen as a legend in Argentina, despite his success with FC Barcelona in Europe.
Despite multiple near misses in major tournaments, including the 2014 World Cup and multiple Copa América finals, Messi faced intense criticism in his home country. This ultimately led to his resignation from the national team in 2016, only to return and lead Argentina to victory in the Copa América in 2021 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The turnaround in Messi’s fortunes with Argentina has been remarkable, marking a new chapter in his international career. Stay updated on all the latest sports news by following the Diario AS channel on WhatsApp.