By Kary Vargas
This year marks 19 years since a moment that, in retrospect, signified a before and after for the Argentine National Team: Lionel Messi's debut in the World Cup. That unforgettable match, not only for the appearance of a young genius but for Diego Maradona's iconic celebration in the stands and Lionel Scaloni's congratulations, is remembered by Argentine media as the instant when "nothing was ever the same" for the national squad. It was the beginning of an era, a path that, despite its ups and downs, would culminate in global glory.
On June 16, 2006, at the World Cup in Germany, an 18-year-old Lionel Messi stepped onto the pitch in the 75th minute of the match against Serbia and Montenegro. Although he was already a dazzling prospect, few imagined that this would be the first page of Argentine football's greatest epic in the 21st century. Maradona's reaction, visibly emotional and vibrant in the stands, and Scaloni's approval from the field, witnessed a generational handover that was slowly brewing.
The match against Serbia and Montenegro was already decided in Argentina's favor, who were comfortably winning. However, Messi's entry changed the atmosphere of the game and, unknowingly, the course of a nation.
That day, Argentine football not only witnessed the debut of a player but also the birth of a hope that, despite the disappointments that would come, would never fade.
The Argentine media's assertion that "nothing was ever the same" since Messi's World Cup debut in 2006 has multiple interpretations and is based on the evolution of the Argentine National Team in the nearly two decades that followed.
Nineteen years later, June 16, 2006, is not just the date of a footballer's debut. It's the anniversary of the day Argentina began to rewrite its footballing history with Lionel Messi as the main protagonist, a journey that would lead us to the top of the world. A moment to remember, celebrate, and understand the long and fascinating path that led the Albiceleste to glory.
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