#3 Lionel Messi – International competitions
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The only thing holding Lionel Messi back from being declared the greatest of all time is the lack of a major international trophy. While the Argentine has won every honour imaginable with Barcelona, the same can’t be said for his efforts with Argentina. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t performed well – after all, three consecutive finals on the international stage is no laughing matter.
(Video Courtesy: CR7Studios YouTube Channel)
Captain of the national team, Messi led his side to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final, and the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals as well. But in spite of coming so close to glory, the Albiceleste missed out thrice. However, it wasn’t just the side that choked but Lionel Messi himself. After failing to score in regulation time, Argentina lost out on the World Cup after Mario Gotze’s extra time goal.
2015 and 2016 were to hold more disappointments as they faced Chile in the finals but lost out both times. After failing to score at all in the game, Messi’s lone penalty in the shootouts saw them come second and then the skipper missed his spot kick entirely in 2016 causing him to even temporarily retire from international football. It’s hard to imagine the Argentine as a choker but the signs are all there to see.
