You would need to have spent the last 15 years living under a rock to be unaware of the fact that Lionel Messi is yet to take in a World Cup triumph over the course of his quite remarkable career. For some, that itch needs to be scratched in order for his status as the greatest of all time to be cemented.
The talismanic Argentine has come close to claiming the grandest prize in the game, with final heartache endured back in 2014. Some six years on from that demoralizing day in Brazil and a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is preparing to open another quest for the Holy Grail.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are heading to their fifth World Cup 🐐 pic.twitter.com/4biMTneri0
— GOAL (@goal) March 29, 2022
Argentina is expected to go well in World Cup 2022 betting odds, with a price of +650 suggesting that they will be there or thereabouts in Qatar. In order to cross the line in first place, the Albiceleste’s skipper will be required to deliver another collection of superhuman performances.
Unfortunately for Messi, as he prepares to enter what will be his last dance on the global stage, his record at FIFA’s flagship event is not the best. Through four previous outings at World Cup finals, the target has been found on just six occasions.
2006 versus Serbia & Montenegro
Messi opened his World Cup goal account on June 16, 2006 at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. He was far from being an unknown entity at the time, but was yet to truly establish himself as a superstar. Another step towards that target was taken when netting in a 6-0 victory over Serbia.
https://twitter.com/PapiiKennyy7/status/1585012687519756288
2014 versus Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria
Having drawn a blank at the 2010 finals while working under the guidance of Diego Maradona, Messi delivered his best showing in 2014. He scored his first against Bosnia at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, before grabbing a second of the group stage versus Iran. A brace was then recorded in a 3-2 victory over Nigeria, before drawing a blank in knockout games as Argentina came up short against Germany in the final.
2018 versus Nigeria
Messi registered an eye-catching strike in another group-stage encounter with Nigeria, with that effort helping to carry Argentina into the last 16. He was, however, unable to add to his account in the knockout fixtures as Argentia suffered a defeat against eventual champions France.
Record
Always be thankful to have lived in the Lionel Messi era 🇦🇷 🐐 pic.twitter.com/Flc5BVBDRy
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup)
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