Arguably, Lionel Messi is the face of Argentine football in the world. Three times World Footballer of the Year, and one with enviable successes with his club, Barcelona, the FIFA World Cup is the only silverware missing from his collection and he is eager to win it.
Though he has won many laurels at the junior and age competitions, he is yet to replicate that same performance with the senior side. Messi helped Argentina win the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, finishing as both the best player and the top scorer (with six goals).
In 2006, he became the youngest Argentine to play and score in the FIFA World Cup, and won a runners-up medal at the Copa América in 2007, in which he was elected young player of the tournament. In 2008, he won his first international honour, an Olympic Gold Medal, with the Argentina Olympic football team
He failed to score for Argentina at the 2010 World Cup but he is tipped to make amends in Brazil and claim his place as truly the Best Player of his time.
