Argentina are one of football's most prestigious nations, winning the World Cup three times and the Copa América 15 times 🇦🇷 However, since 1993 success has dried up 😬 After winning the Copa América back in 1991 and 1993, they failed to make it past the quarter-finals for the next four iterations of the tournament, pulling out completely in 2001 😳 Even with the help of Lionel Messi, who made his debut in 2005, Argentina were unable to win the tournament, finishing runners up in every tournament from 2004 to 2016 bar one 😭 In 2019 they finished third in Brazil, before an inspired Messi led them to victory in 2021, ending their 18-year wait for international glory 🏆 The World Cup was a different story, after finishing runners up in 1990, La Albiceleste failed to make it past the quarter-finals until 2014, when it seemed destined that Messi would get his hands on the trophy and emulate the success of his idol Diego Maradona 😩 A heartbreaking 1-0 extra-time defeat to Germany meant it wasn't to be and Argentina's hunt for international honours went on 💔 An underwhelming performance in 2018 seemed to be Argentina's last shot with a squad full of superstars, but in 2022, Argentina's long wait for World Cup success was ended 🏆 Messi once again was the spearhead of the team, being crowned the best player at the tournament scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists 🥇 In just over a year and half, Lionel Messi had restored Argentina's standing in international football, placing his name alongside Diego Maradona as an Argentinean footballing hero 🙌