Lionel Messi: Copa America defeat is just his latest blow with Argentina

Posted Monday, July 06, 2015 by skysports.com

Messi has tasted defeat in two major finals in the last 12 months

After his latest disappointment with Argentina, we look at Lionel Messi's tournament history...

Argentina's 22-year wait for Copa America glory goes on after penalty shoot-out defeat to Chile on Saturday evening. For Lionel Messi, it must feel interminable.

The Barcelona superstar has now played in three Copa America disappointments to go with his three World Cups and, despite having an Olympic gold medal to his name in an Argentina Under-23 side, he is still waiting to taste victory at senior level for his country.

It's not exactly a tale of failure. There have been goals, assists and awards aplenty. But the big trophies have eluded Messi in an Argentina shirt..

2006 World Cup

Messi became the youngest player to feature for Argentina at a World Cup when he took his place in Jose Pekerman's squad as an 18-year-old. He even came off the bench to score and assist in a memorable 6-0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro in the group stage - becoming the youngest player to score at the 2006 tournament in the process. However, Messi's World Cup had a disappointing ending as he remained on the bench for Argentina's quarter-final exit as they were beaten on penalties by hosts Germany.

Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring on his debut at a World Cup in 2006

2007 Copa America

The following year at the Copa America, Messi was involved rather more and enjoyed an impressive tournament - albeit one that ended once more in crushing disappointment. He assisted in all three of Argentina's group games in Venezuela before taking centre stage as they progressed through the knockout rounds. There was a goal against Peru in the quarter-finals and another in the last four against Mexico. Messi was duly named young player of the tournament but was helpless to prevent Brazil beating Argentina 3-0 in the final.

Lionel Messi reacts in dejection after Brazil win the Copa America in 2007

2010 World Cup

Messi was employed in a deeper role under Diego Maradona at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but was nevertheless a hugely influential figure for his side. He was handed the No 10 shirt and even captained his country against Greece, despite being only 22. Indeed, Messi was at the hub of everything Argentina did as they scored seven goals to top their group and he then assisted Carlos Tevez’s opener in a last-16 win over Mexico. Unfortunately, Maradona’s flawed side were completely outdone by Germany in the quarter-finals once more – losing 4-0 in Cape Town.

Lionel Messi: Copa America defeat is just his latest blow with Argentina
Diego Maradona hugs Lionel Messi after the 2010 World Cup quarter-final exit

2011 Copa America

A Copa America on home soil was seen as the perfect opportunity to end Argentina’s wait for glory and everything looked on course while Messi was on song during the group stages. Having come into the competition on fine form with Barcelona, he impressed with a man-of-the-match performance against Costa Rica and came up with his third assist of the tournament for Gonzalo Higuain to equalise against Uruguay in the quarter-final. But while Messi scored his penalty, Argentina were eliminated by the eventual winners in the shoot-out.

Lionel Messi was marked closely by Uruguay in a 2011 Copa America defeat

2014 World Cup

Messi was close to his brilliant best in the group stages in Brazil. He began with an early assist as well as the winning goal against Bosnia, before producing a stoppage-time winner from distance to beat Iran. A brace against Nigeria next time out left Messi with four goals and three man-of-the-match awards in the group stages alone and there was then a wonderful run to assist Angel Di Maria’s extra-time winner against Switzerland in the last 16. But Messi's influence waned in the latter stages and his World Cup is perhaps best remembered for his missed chance in the final against Germany as well as the debatable player of the tournament award that followed.

Lionel Messi looks on as Germany celebrate winning the 2014 World Cup

2015 Copa America

Messi scored from the spot in Argentina’s opening game against Paraguay but that was to be his only goal of the tournament outside the shoot-outs. He simmered rather than starred early on before really coming to the boil with a sensational performance in a 6-1 semi-final win over Peru. Messi assisted three goals in that game alone but the final proved to be a different story. He was closely marked by hosts Chile and while he managed to convert his spot-kick in the shoot-out, no team-mate could match his efforts and another tournament ended in bitter failure.

Lionel Messi received close attention from Chile in the 2015 Copa America final

When is his next chance?

At least Messi doesn't have too long to wait for his opportunity to break his duck. A special centenary edition of the Copa America is to be held next summer in the United States involving 16 teams and it promises to be another high-profile opportunity to right those wrongs in an Argentina shirt. It was third time unlucky for Messi in both the Copa America and World Cup, but maybe - just maybe - it will be seventh heaven in the States.