In 2016, Lionel Messi retired from international football.
In the aftermath of a defeat by Chile in the Copa America final, in which Messi missed a penalty in the shootout as Argentina lost a fourth major final in nine years, he could not take any more pain.
“For me, the national team is over,” he said at the time. “I’ve done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion.”
It is hard to imagine that 10 years later, two days before his 39th birthday, not only would he still be playing for reigning world champions Argentina, but also becoming the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer.
His decision to reverse that international retirement has led to a glorious era of success for Messi and his nation.
They have won the past two Copa America tournaments and, in 2022, captain Messi guided them to the World Cup, scoring seven goals – including two in the final – as they won the tournament for the third time, but the first since 1986.
Messi is appearing at his sixth World Cup and has scored 13 tournament goals since reversing that decision to retire from international football.
Remarkably, 12 of his 18 goals on football’s greatest stage have come since he turned 35. Fourteen of those 18 have been struck with his left foot, and four have come from outside the box.
It was “another immortal Messi moment” according to BBC commentator Steve Bower.
“I enjoy playing and having a good time on the pitch,” said Messi. “We enjoy seeing the people like this too, being able to give them this kind of joy.”
Credit: bbc.com
