Lionel Messi. The year marked his exit from European soccer while also adding an unprecedented 8th Ballon d’Or. His performances for Argentina have been exemplary and the recent game against Uruguay highlighted Messi at his best.

Lionel Messi exited Argentina's 1-0 win over Brazil in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying on Tuesday due to a groin injury. According to ESPN's Adriana

Lionel Messi led the national team of Argentina to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The world turned their attention to Messi, who has been chasing the World Cup trophy triumph since he first played.

In an interview with Star+, Lionel Messi said, a year after lifting the World Cup trophy in Qatar, that one of his top triumphs is having turned criticism into praise from Argentina fans.

Lionel Messi has expressed his satisfaction and vindication following Argentina’s World Cup triumph a year ago. In an interview with Star+, as reported by GOAL, Messi spoke of his immense pride in finally securing the one major trophy that had eluded him throughout his glittering career.

Nearly a year on from lifting his home country's third World Cup trophy, Lionel Messi opened up on his path to the title for Argentina in Qatar.