The international career of Lionel Messi has not been the smooth affair that his life in club football has been.
There have been a series of ups and downs along the way, with the Argentine nation taking a fair while to take a shine to the Barcelona wunderkind.
That Messi does not perform for Argentina, though, is a myth. Even before his outstanding 2012 calendar year for La Albiceleste, he had been a major player for the side even if the goals had not flown as freely as he'd have hoped.
Next summer in Brazil, he will have the chance to ensure that his career is also remembered for success on the international stage. It will be the only way that he will ever convince some people.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the highs and lows of Messi's international career to date.
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There have been a series of ups and downs along the way, with the Argentine nation taking a fair while to take a shine to the Barcelona wunderkind.
That Messi does not perform for Argentina, though, is a myth. Even before his outstanding 2012 calendar year for La Albiceleste, he had been a major player for the side even if the goals had not flown as freely as he'd have hoped.
Next summer in Brazil, he will have the chance to ensure that his career is also remembered for success on the international stage. It will be the only way that he will ever convince some people.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the highs and lows of Messi's international career to date.
Just 18 at the time, a young Lionel Messi had turned down the
opportunity to represent Spain at youth level in order to remain
faithful to the land of his birth. It is a decision that Argentines are
no doubt hugely grateful for.
With a handful of first-team appearances to his name, Messi's star was already on the rise. However, to most, he remained a relative unknown.
By the end of the tournament, the entire South American footballing community was certainly aware of his burgeoning talents. Messi finished the event with six goals to his name, including scoring in the final four rounds.
With a Golden Ball and Golden Boot to his name, as well as the World Cup title, the international career of Lionel Messi was well and truly underway.
With a handful of first-team appearances to his name, Messi's star was already on the rise. However, to most, he remained a relative unknown.
By the end of the tournament, the entire South American footballing community was certainly aware of his burgeoning talents. Messi finished the event with six goals to his name, including scoring in the final four rounds.
With a Golden Ball and Golden Boot to his name, as well as the World Cup title, the international career of Lionel Messi was well and truly underway.
Just weeks after his Under-20 World Cup success, in August
2005, Messi was handed his international debut against Hungary in
Budapest.
Coming on as a 64th-minute substitute in the friendly encounter, the 18-year-old would last just one minute before seeing his debut cut short by a red card.
Having broken clear from his marker, the young Argentine had his shirt pulled by his opponent and unwisely, rather than maliciously, swung his arm in the direction of his opposite number.
The referee, just a few metres away, was in position to see the incident, and the debutant would see something of a false start to his international career.
Clive Mason/Getty Images
Coming on as a 64th-minute substitute in the friendly encounter, the 18-year-old would last just one minute before seeing his debut cut short by a red card.
Having broken clear from his marker, the young Argentine had his shirt pulled by his opponent and unwisely, rather than maliciously, swung his arm in the direction of his opposite number.
The referee, just a few metres away, was in position to see the incident, and the debutant would see something of a false start to his international career.
Clive Mason/Getty Images
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
The 2008 Olympic Games was a memorable tournament for Argentine
football, with the side claiming a well-deserved gold medal while also
dispatching rivals Brazil 3-0 in the semi-final.
Having initially been barred from playing by club side Barcelona, Messi eventually talked his way into the squad and played a major role in the success.
Once more linking up with the wonderful Riquelme, Messi scored twice in the tournament but made his biggest contribution in assisting Angel di Maria for the only goal of the final.
Still just 20 years old, Messi now had a second major tournament win for Argentina to his name, even if neither had come at senior level.
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Having initially been barred from playing by club side Barcelona, Messi eventually talked his way into the squad and played a major role in the success.
Once more linking up with the wonderful Riquelme, Messi scored twice in the tournament but made his biggest contribution in assisting Angel di Maria for the only goal of the final.
Still just 20 years old, Messi now had a second major tournament win for Argentina to his name, even if neither had come at senior level.
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By 2009, Messi was on course to win his first FIFA World Player
of the Year crown and had been busy setting the European game alight in
helping Barcelona to a famous Champions League success.
It was only now, though, that he could finally lay claim to the Argentina No. 10 shirt that is generally bestowed upon the team's leading playmaker. Until this point, it had been the prize possession of Riquelme.
Handed the shirt by none other than new manager Diego Maradona, Messi's status as the leading light of the Argentine game was now assured. Even if some still felt he was not performing for the national side.
It may seem a fairly meaningless high in his international career, but there is no doubt that wearing the No. 10 shirt for the first time would have been a source of immense pride for the Barcelona man.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
It was only now, though, that he could finally lay claim to the Argentina No. 10 shirt that is generally bestowed upon the team's leading playmaker. Until this point, it had been the prize possession of Riquelme.
Handed the shirt by none other than new manager Diego Maradona, Messi's status as the leading light of the Argentine game was now assured. Even if some still felt he was not performing for the national side.
It may seem a fairly meaningless high in his international career, but there is no doubt that wearing the No. 10 shirt for the first time would have been a source of immense pride for the Barcelona man.
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With Alejandro Sabella named as the new coach of Argentina
following the Copa America debacle, Messi was set for an immediate
promotion as he was named the captain of Sabella's national side.
Following the criticism of his commitment and performances at the tournament that summer, it was quite a show of faith from the new man in charge. Messi, though, has thus far rewarded him for his bold decision.
The Albiceleste are a different beast in 2013 to the dreary days of Maradona and Batista. Sabella has the side playing with confidence and structure, rather than the personality-driven free-for-all of the previous regimes. Messi, as is to be expected, is central to the side.
We won't know until the World Cup in 2014 whether Sabella is ultimately judged as a success or not. However, indications thus far suggest he is a vast improvement on his predecessors.
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Following the criticism of his commitment and performances at the tournament that summer, it was quite a show of faith from the new man in charge. Messi, though, has thus far rewarded him for his bold decision.
The Albiceleste are a different beast in 2013 to the dreary days of Maradona and Batista. Sabella has the side playing with confidence and structure, rather than the personality-driven free-for-all of the previous regimes. Messi, as is to be expected, is central to the side.
We won't know until the World Cup in 2014 whether Sabella is ultimately judged as a success or not. However, indications thus far suggest he is a vast improvement on his predecessors.
Jamie McDonald/Getty Images