Messi suffers in Paraguay and Argentina's qualifying streak comes to an end

Lionel Messi did not have a good time during his visit to Asunción in Paraguay as Argentina's national team lost 2-1 in the South American World Cup qualifiers, as he did not have a good game and left upset.

Tough Times for Messi with Argentina"

While Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, his journey with the Argentina national team has not always been smooth. Despite his individual brilliance, there have been several tough moments in his international career, particularly in major tournaments.

1. 2014 World Cup Final Loss: One of Messi's most heartbreaking moments came during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Argentina made it to the final against Germany, but despite a stellar tournament from Messi, the team lost 1-0 in extra time. Messi was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament, but the defeat left him and the nation devastated. Many criticized the loss as another missed opportunity for Messi to win a major international title with Argentina.
2. Copa América 2015 Final Loss: The 2015 Copa América saw Argentina face Chile in the final. After a tense 0-0 draw, the match went to penalties, where Argentina lost 4-1. Messi missed his penalty, and the loss was another bitter setback in his quest for international glory. It added to the growing perception that Messi couldn't replicate his Barcelona success with the national team.
3. Copa América Centenario 2016 Final Loss: In 2016, Argentina again reached the final of the Copa América, this time in the Centenary edition. Once more, they faced Chile. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, and Argentina lost again in a penalty shootout, 4-2. Messi, once again, missed a crucial penalty, and after the defeat, he shocked fans by announcing his retirement from international football, citing the constant disappointments with Argentina.
4. Criticism and Comparisons with Diego Maradona: Throughout his career with the national team, Messi faced constant comparisons with Argentina's football legend, Diego Maradona, especially when it came to winning international titles. Despite Messi's success with Barcelona, these comparisons and the pressure to deliver with Argentina weighed heavily on him, and critics were quick to judge his performances during tough moments.
5. 2018 World Cup Round of 16 Exit: Messi's hopes for a World Cup win were dashed again in 2018 when Argentina was knocked out by France in the Round of 16. The match ended 4-3 in favor of France, and although Messi showed moments of brilliance, the team struggled defensively and failed to advance further in the tournament.

Despite these tough moments, Messi has always demonstrated resilience and a commitment to representing Argentina. His eventual triumph in the 2021 Copa América, where Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in the final, was seen as the redemption Messi had long sought, silencing critics and cementing his legacy as an all-time great in international football.