Lionel Messi and Argentina

Lionel Messi is one of the greatest players in football history. Some would say he's the best of all time and many compare him to Cristiano Ronaldo, who others would say is a better player. He's a legend at Barcelona but for his national team, it's a completely different story.

Messi has never quite clicked with his native Argentina. Some Argentines call him a legend but only very few. Many question his status in the Argentinian history books when it comes to football. Some even hate him. Why? Because what has he won for Argentina?

The little number 10 may have won all there is to win at Barcelona but to Argentinians that's all in vein, the chance to win a World Cup is over. If La Albiceleste won the World Cup in 2014, Messi would be on level with Maradona in terms of legendary status, perhaps even greater and Argentinians would see Messi as there god, literally. Speaking of God's, Maradona is the god, the messiah, the legend in the South American country. All because he has brought the greatest footballing prize back home, the World Cup. A trophy. In Argentina, if you fail to bring home the trophy, you're seen as in Lionel Messi's case; The Little Flea.

With Qatar 2022 three years away, Leo will turn 34 and his time in the national team is most likely going to be done by then.

Argentina's scary few years have made fans question his ability in the team. Qualification for the World Cup in 2018 was a scrap, the tournament itself was poor and this years Copa America, so far, has summed up Messi's time in an Argentina shirt since that final match against Germany in 2014.

The 2-0 loss to Colombia was hard to take and fans continue to criticise him. Blaming him on the teams loss. The team itself isn't performing to it's maximum and this squad isn't the mighty Argentina of old.

Messi will always be a loved player by all but will sadly only be remembered in a Barcelona shirt.