Lionel Messi’s Path to FIFA World Cup Glory Paved by 2021 Copa América Triumph
Lionel Messi, the global football icon, is renowned for his World Cup triumph in Qatar 2022, solidifying his place among the greatest players of all time. However, Messi’s journey to this crowning achievement was paved by his breakthrough on the international stage a year earlier, during the 2021 Copa América tournament.
The 2021 Copa América, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and relocated to Brazil, witnessed Messi and Argentina finally achieving their long-awaited success. In a tense final at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Argentina defeated the host nation Brazil 1-0, securing their first major title since 1993. As the match triumphantly ended, a visibly emotional Messi was joyfully tossed into the air by his adoring teammates.
“We dreamed of getting this, and we fought,” said teammate Ángel di María, who scored the decisive goal. “Many people criticized us and asked us not to come back (to the national team).”
The 2024 Copa América tournament, to be held across the United States, promises to be another spectacle for football fans. Familiar names such as Vinicius Jr., Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, and of course, Messi, who also plays for Inter Miami in MLS, are among the biggest draws for the event that will feature matches in NFL stadiums across the country.
Prior to the 2021 triumph, Messi’s Argentina had faced heartbreak, bad luck, and poor timing on the biggest stages, including the 2007 and 2016 Copa América finals, as well as the 2014 World Cup final. By the time the 2021 tournament rolled around, Messi was viewed as a generational talent, but he was still missing that elusive trophy that would cement his legacy alongside the greatest players in Argentina’s history.
The 2021 Copa América proved to be Messi’s breakthrough moment. Argentina navigated the group stage with ease, winning all of their matches, and then defeated Ecuador and Colombia in the knockout rounds, with Messi scoring four goals and providing five assists. The final against Brazil was a tense affair, but Argentina emerged victorious, handing Messi his first major international trophy.
Without this triumph in 2021, Messi’s subsequent World Cup victory in Qatar might not have been possible. The 2021 Copa América success provided the emotional and psychological boost that Messi needed to finally achieve his lifelong dream of winning the FIFA World Cup, cementing his status as one of the all-time greats of the game.
As the football world eagerly awaits the 2024 Copa América, Messi and Argentina will undoubtedly be among the favorites, with the opportunity to add another trophy to their growing collection and further solidify their place in the annals of the sport.
🔗 Source