"They called us losers." The most memorable moments for Messi in the national team

First goal at world championships

Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup goal in the 88th minute of a group stage match against Serbia (6-0) in 2006. Having received a transfer from Carlos Tevez, the Argentine broke into the penalty area and struck the far corner of the goal with a precise blow from the bottom. That ball set the final score of the meeting.

For Messi, this match was his debut at the World Cup. In 15 minutes on the field, he also scored an assist.

Although it was my first World Cup match, I had played in many friendlies for the national team so I had no problems. I was not nervous, I was eager to get on the field and take part in the World Cup, Messi told FourFourTwo magazine in 2019 about the 13 best moments of his career at that time.

"I had a great opportunity in such an important match - Argentina's second in the World Cup," he said.

In the first match against Côte d’Ivoire I sat on the bench, and in the meeting with Serbia and Montenegro I came out in the last 15 minutes and scored the sixth goal of the match. It was beautiful, he added.

Winning the Olympics

In 2008, Messi won the first major title with the national team - he won the Olympics. In the final, the team beat Nigeria (1-0).

Messi scored two goals at the Olympics. The FIFA website included the Argentine among the best players in the tournament.

“The trip to Beijing was one of the most memorable of my career. We gave an incredible tournament, he recalled. We beat Brazil 3-0 in the semi-final, we also beat the Netherlands and Nigeria. All the games were very difficult, we had to give our best, which we did.”.

“The Olympics are a very important tournament not only because you can win a gold medal for your country, but it is also an opportunity to take part in a large-scale event and live in the Olympic village with other athletes,” he said in 2019.

Goal after eight-year wait

At the 2010 World Cup, Lionel Messi, like Argentina, performed unsuccessfully. His second goal at the world championships, he scored only in 2014 - it happened in the first match of the group round with Bosnia and Herzegovina (2: 1). By that time, the goalless series at the World Cup was seven games.

“I had to wait eight years for my second World Cup goal,” Messi said. We wanted to have a good tournament and started with a win over Bosnia and I scored our second goal.

In the 65th minute of the match of the group stage, Messi received the ball at the penalty line, beat several opponents in the wall with Gonzalo Higuain and struck a precise blow with his left foot in the far corner. The goal was a victory for Argentina.

“It all happened very quickly. I picked up the ball almost in the middle of the field and tried to break through to their penalty area. I played against Gonzalo Higuain and then hit from the penalty line. Fortunately, the ball flew into the goal, Messi shared his emotions a few years later.

First World Cup final

Argentina then reached the final, where they lost in extra time to Germany (0: 1), although they were very close to victory.

We performed great in qualifying and won a ticket to Brazil ahead of schedule, then confirmed our status, reaching the final. We could not win, but we did everything we could, he said.

At the 2014 World Cup, Messi scored four goals - all in the group stage. He also scored an assist in the 1/8 finals with Switzerland. In 2014, for the first time he was recognized as the best player of the world Cup. The decision sparked controversy.

First "adult" trophy with the national team of Argentina

Despite the fact that Argentina is consistently among the favorites of tournaments, Messi won the first title at the adult level rather late (excluding the Olympics). In 2021, Argentina won the title, beating Brazil in the final (1: 0).

"I achieved peace of mind by fulfilling a dream that has eluded me so many times," Messi recalled in an interview with ESPN a few months after winning. It was like a dream, a fantastic moment. I couldn't believe it happened. Now, when I look at the photo, I feel better than then because I was stunned. I didn't quite understand what was happening.”.

"Everything I won is important and beautiful, but the Copa America was the hardest because I've been through a lot," he added. I was happy from the first to the last day of vacation. It used to be bitter. Now my kids are singing Argentine songs all the time, remembering the final against Brazil. It is incredible to see them enjoying it.”.

Earlier in Argentina, Messi was repeatedly criticized for the fact that at decisive moments he could not lead the national team, which he repeatedly did at Barcelona. He was accused of playing better for Barca.

Fans even burned his T-shirts because of bullying.

“The media called us losers after defeats, said that we do not feel responsible, playing for the national team, that we should not be in the national team,” said Messi. We tried to be champions before, we were the first to want to be. It is very difficult to win the World Cup or the Copa America. At the time, they did not appreciate what we had done, they merely emphasized that we had not achieved our goal.”.

Long-awaited World Cup win

In 2022, Messi finally became world champion. In the spectacular final with France (3:3 after extra time), he scored a double. At the same time, Messi scored in all playoff games.

I achieved my most important goal – winning the World Cup. I never thought about individual awards and always put the team above everything else, said Messi.

Messi was the first in history to become the best player of the World Cup twice.