Fast forward eight years, and Messi is now gearing up to lead La Albiceleste as captain in the upcoming Copa America 2024. After winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, the Inter Miami star is ready to kick off the tournament against Canada in Atlanta. However, this triumphant comeback was not always a certainty, as Messi’s retirement announcement had left the football world in a state of uncertainty.
As fans eagerly anticipate Messi’s return to international football, GOAL revisits the tumultuous two months following his retirement declaration in 2016. The article delves into the emotions and events that transpired after that fateful Copa America final, raising the question of what could have been if Messi had truly walked away from the national team. Will we ever truly understand the story behind Messi’s moment of vulnerability and his subsequent decision to return to represent Argentina on the global stage? Stay tuned as the football world awaits the unfolding of this captivating saga.