Messi's legendary run for Argentina almost never happened after heartbreak

Lionel Messi's retirement from the Argentina national side brings down the curtain on one of world football's most storied international careers.

The records and achievements of Messi are stuff of legend, and his status in international sport is reserved for only the very greatest of their craft.

Messi was denied the perfect finish to his Argentina career in July, defeated in a thrilling FIFA World Cup final by Spain that went to extra time.

But the loss in New Jersey only denied the fairytale finish, and did not diminish the legend that Messi created for himself, or the legacy that he has left among his people.

But the love and admiration of his people, the two Copa America wins, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph, which brought Argentina back to the pinnacle of world football and raised Messi to the legendary status of fellow countryman Diego Maradona, almost never happened.

Messi has been on top of world football for two decades, winning the coveted Ballon d'Or as the world's best player a staggering eight times.

From 2004 to 2021, he won 10 La Liga titles, seven Spanish Cups, seven Spanish Super Cups, four Champions Leagues, three UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups with Barcelona.

In a legendary 2012, he scored 91 goals in all competitions, a record haul for a calendar year, and slotted 50 goals in the 2011-12 La Liga season.

Trophies, accolades, love and admiration grew and grew for the Barcelona great, but success for Argentina was not forthcoming.

Coming through the ranks, Messi led Argentina to a Youth World Championship in 2005 and the Olympic medal at the Beijing Games in 2008.

When Messi made his senior debut for Argentina in 2005 against Hungary, the South American giants had not won a trophy since the 1993 Copa America.

Messi's Argentina senior debut was nothing to write home about either, sent off after less than a minute on the pitch for elbowing an opponent.

But Messi overcame that infamous beginning to establish himself as a star, and the hope of a nation that Argentina could return to the top of South America, and the world.

Argentina made the final of the Copa America in 2007, but was soundly beaten 3-0 by arch rival Brazil.