So near yet so far: Tracing Lionel Messi 's jinx at major international tournament finals

2014 FIFA World Cup

In the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, Argentina faced the mighty Germans. It was a heated game from the very first minute as everyone was rooting for Messi to create some magic. It would have been Argentina's first World Cup after a massive gap of 28 years. But Germany didn't let go of the game. Both the teams played beautifully and the game ended in a goal-less draw in the official 90 minutes. The game, touted to be more fierce and fast in the extra-time, proved to be so.

It was in the last minutes of the game, that Mario Goetze very clinically tapped the ball across the Argentinian goalkeeper. But Argentina had one last chance to redeem themselves when they were awarded a free kick from just outside the D-box. Messi was expected to curve the ball and put the ball in the net, but he only hit the ball to miss the top post.

Sad and devastated, when Messi was awarded the man of the man match title, he was not very keen to accept the honour. In an interview, Messi said that their only aim was to win the World Cup and not the runner-up trophy.

"Right now, nothing can console me - not the award or anything else. Our only goal was to take home the World Cup and enjoy our victory with everyone in Argentina. We deserved a bit more after the game we played, and it was very painful to lose that way."

2015 Copa America

Touted to win the Copa America, Argentina looked fierce and determined to win the tournament. However, through the course of the entire tournament, Messi did not score a single goal for his national side. When Argentina did reach the final, Messi had one last chance at redemption but to his horror, he failed to score a goal in the finals as well.

Yet again, the match ended in 0-0 draw in the official 90 minutes and the game was decided in the penalty shootout. Chile beat Argentina 4-1 in penalties leaving Argentina and Messi distraught. Messi's nightmarish run in major tournament finals continued.

2016 Copa America

Hoping to win this edition of Copa America, Argentina and Messi started the tournament with all guns blazing. Argentina reached the semi-finals where they faced USA.

In the match against US, Messi became the all-time high scorer for Argentina when he converted a free kick into a beautiful woven curve ball which found the left top corner of the post. With 55 goals, Messi surpassed Gabriel Batistuta's record of 54 goals. Argentina won the match 4-0 in full time.

The Albiceleste were looking in great form and had an outright chance at winning the Copa America for the 16th time. But defending champions Chile gave a tough competition to Gerardo Martino's men.

The match, yet again, went on to penalties, and to everyone's nightmare, Messi missed his penalty kick. The horror didn't seem to end for Messi, as Chile beat Argentina in penalties 4-2.

Following the match, Messi dropped the bomb by announcing his retirement. "I'm taking this decision for me and for the many people who want this. I've tried so hard, but I'm leaving without managing it."

Did Leo Messi just announce his retirement from the Argentine National Soccer team? https://t.co/IvOoBNwmG9

— Joshua Hoyos (@JoshuaHoyos) June 27, 2016