Lionel Messi walks out for another World Cup final tonight. That sentence alone is almost boring at this point, except that it’s not. This is a guy who once quit the national team entirely after losing a third straight final. Now he’s leading Argentina against Spain with a chance to add a second World Cup to a resume that already has everything.
But getting here wasn’t some smooth ride. Messi’s early finals with Argentina were brutal. His first major final came in 2007 against Brazil in the Copa America. Argentina got hammered 3-0. Messi was 20, played the whole game, and couldn’t do much. Brazil scored through Julio Baptista, Dani Alves, and an own goal from Roberto Ayala. It was a statement win for them and a tough start for Messi.
Then came 2014. The World Cup final against Germany. Messi had won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. But Mario Gotze’s extra-time goal in the 113th minute crushed Argentina’s hopes. Messi walked past the trophy with that look on his face. The one everyone remembers.
Back-to-back Copa America finals against Chile followed. 2015. 2016. Both went to penalty shootouts. Both ended with Chile celebrating. In 2015, Messi was the only Argentine to convert from the spot. Gonzalo Higuain missed. Ever Banega got saved. Alexis Sanchez buried the winner. In 2016, the Copa America Centenario, Messi missed his own penalty in the shootout. Argentina lost again. Right after that game, he said he was done with international football. And he meant it for a little while.
But he came back. And that’s where the story flips completely.
In 2021, Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final. Angel Di Maria scored the goal. It ended a 28-year trophy drought for the national team. You could see how much it meant. Messi dropped to his knees.
Then came the Finalissima in 2022. Argentina obliterated Italy 3-0. Lautaro Martinez, Di Maria, and Paulo Dybala all scored. It was basically a coronation before the real coronation.
Qatar 2022. The World Cup final against France. One of the greatest games ever played. Messi scored twice. Argentina won on penalties. He finally had the one thing people used to hold against him when arguing about the GOAT conversation. Seven goals in the tournament. Golden Boot. World champion.
Argentina didn’t stop there. In 2024, they defended their Copa America title with a 1-0 win over Colombia. Martinez scored in extra time. That made it three straight international tournament wins. Messi keeps stacking trophies at an age when most players are done.
So tonight against Spain? He’s already got nothing left to prove. But that’s never stopped him before.
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