Which national team has been the most brilliant over the past three years? If Argentina claims to be second, no team dares to claim the first spot. Since winning the Copa America in 2021, the Albiceleste have seemed unstoppable, clinching the Finalissima and the World Cup, rising to the top of the world rankings. This summer, Lautaro Martínez's stellar performances helped the Tango team win the Copa America again, achieving a stunning three consecutive major tournament victories. Messi may be aging, but Argentina is on the rise.
As a traditional football powerhouse, Argentina's most vivid memories before Messi revolved around the Maradona era. In the 1986 World Cup, Maradona almost single-handedly led the Albiceleste to the pinnacle of the world, with the "Hand of God" and his incredible solo goal becoming timeless classics. This cemented Argentina's connection with passion and wild football. Later, the stories of legends like Batistuta and Riquelme further popularized the Tango style worldwide.
In fact, before the 1970s, Argentina was not considered a top-tier football nation. Despite their success in the Copa America and impressive Olympic performances, they had not won the World Cup. It wasn't until the 1978 World Cup, hosted in Argentina, that the national team changed its history. Kempes' heroics, combined with the Albiceleste's ambition, earned them their first star on the shirt.
Post-Maradona, the search for his successor was relentless, and Messi's arrival carried enormous expectations. His World Cup debut in 2006 saw him contribute with a goal and an assist, and his club career was meteoric. However, no matter how dominant he was at Barcelona, the national team seemed cursed. Argentina's golden generation was knocked out by Germany in both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, leaving a trail of disappointment.
It wasn't until 2014 that Messi and his teammates truly shone for the national team. The Brazil World Cup saw Argentina become the first South American team since 2002 to reach the final, but they fell to a peak Germany. The sight of Messi coming so close to the World Cup trophy left fans heartbroken. In the following two years, Argentina reached consecutive Copa America finals, only to lose both to Chile on penalties.
After three consecutive runner-up finishes, a devastated Messi announced his retirement from international football, plunging Argentina into a low point. The nadir came with a 6-1 thrashing by Spain. By the time the 2021 Copa America rolled around, many had resigned themselves to the idea that Messi might never win a major trophy with Argentina. Yet, in the deepest despair, beauty emerged. Entering the twilight of his career, Messi transcended, leading Argentina into a new era of dominance.
Over ten years, from three consecutive runner-up finishes to three consecutive championships, Argentina traversed a rocky road to finally soar to the summit. Now, with Messi at 37 and Di María having bid farewell to the national team, the Tango dance is being carried forward by a new generation on the pitch. Next summer, Argentina will face Spain in the Finalissima, and in two years, they will aim to defend their title at the World Cup in North America.
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