How Messi's decade of dominance almost never happened

Lionel Messi scored eight goals and registered four assists at the 2026 World Cup [Getty Images]"I've given it my all, I have nothing left to give."Lionel Messi retired from international football on Monday as Argentina's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. He captained them to World Cup glory at Qatar 2022 and to Copa America triumphs in 2021 and 2024.But the world was almost denied his most successful period in the famous blue and white shirt.On Sunday, 26 June 2016, at MetLife Sta