NEWS · 31 Aug 2026
Messi’s decade of dominance almost never happened
Lionel Messi’s decade of dominance with Argentina that almost never happened will go down as one of football’s greatest ever stories.
In the span from 2014 to 2024, Lionel Messi carved out a decade of unprecedented success for the Argentine national team, a period that felt almost too good to be true. The story is one of triumphs, near misses, and a relentless drive that kept the nation’s hopes alive.
Messi’s journey began with a quiet 2014 World Cup where Argentina fell short, but the experience set the stage for a resurgence. Over the next few years, he led the squad to a Copa América title in 2021, a triumph that ended a 28‑year drought for the nation.
The pinnacle came in 2022, when Messi captained Argentina to World Cup glory. The victory cemented his legacy and delivered on the promise of a decade of greatness that many thought would never materialise.
Throughout the decade, Messi faced challenges that could have derailed his mission: injuries, the global pandemic, and the pressure of being the nation’s living legend. Yet he consistently returned to the pitch, guided by a deep commitment to his country.
As Messi’s decade of dominance draws to a close, his story will be remembered not just for the trophies, but for the resilience and passion that defined an era of Argentine football. The nation now looks ahead to how this legacy will shape the next generation of players and the future of the national team.