For the past two decades, Barcelona has been one of the greatest teams in the world of soccer. Messi’s contribution in achieving success witnessed is undiscussable. With 34 major trophies, he has cemented his legacy as one of the best football players to ever play football.
The 33 years old has won almost everything possible as an individual and also collectively as a team. However, the footballer has had his own failures during his football career.
1.World Cup Frustration
Despite how great Messi is, he has failed to make a mark in this big football occasion. Messi’s struggle for the World Cup glory is frustrating. His chase for thIS legendary recognition started in 2006 when he was part of the Argentina squad in Germany. However, he was too young to be assured of full contribution. He was just 19 years.
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa provided him with an opportunity to write a new script. Messi’s Argentina was managed by the Country legend Diego Maradona and were among the favorites to clinch that title.
Argentina team were beaten by Youthful Germany 4-0 in the tournament quatre final to exit the competition. Messi did not score any goal during the whole tournament.
The 2014 competition in their neighboring Brazil was another opportunity for him and Argentina to end their frustrations. Messi scored four goals in group stages, with nine points at the top of their group log. Argentina progressed all the way to the final, and again Germany came knocking to deny snatch them on their last grip.
The 2018 event in Russia did go well for him and his team. They survived a scare of bowing out in the group stage but eventually knocked out in the second round in an entertaining 4-3 loss to France.
His World cup tally stands at five goals together with six assists in i9 games, a record far below his expected standard.
2.Failed promise to bring Champions League Cup to Nou Camp.
Before the Champions League drought struck the Catalans, they had won four Champions League trophies in 9 years. After three years without a Champions League trophy, Messi made a promise to bring that glory to Camp Nou during his first public speech as a captain.
This promise has become unachievable as the club has suffered humiliating campaigns in the recent past. Liverpool overturned a 3-0 goal advantage to beat them and progress them to the finals. The embarrassing 8-2 mauling by Bayern, together with a 4-1 loss to PSG has become bitter for the club to take.
3.Burofax saga
After an 8-2 mauling by Bayern, Messi was set to leave Camp Nou on a free transfer due to a clause in his contract with Barcelona. The club however elaborated that the clause was not valid as it had gone past its validity dates and any transfer will require payment of the full amount of his release value.
The Argentine rescinded his strong want-away decision to avoid court battles. The whole saga was not good to a player who had reached a legendary level to the club.
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4.Three defeats in three international finals in three years.
Since 1993 Copa America glory, Argentina has not won any major international trophy. With the quality of players the country has produced, it is difficult to understand how.
The 2014 World Cup final saw Argentina lose a World cup title to the Germans. Two consecutive Copa America final saw Argentina failing to win any in the hands of Chile with both games ending on the penalty shootout.
In 2016 final, Messi missed a penalty then announced his retirement from the international football scene. Although he returned for World Cup, he did not achieve much.
