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While many of us have been lost in thrilling sporting events such as the Euro 2020 Tournament, NBA playoffs and Olympic qualifiers, the Copa America, South America's regional soccer Tournament, entered its Final stage yesterday with the last match decided. As it turns out, it will be a clash of the two Biggest names in South American football History gracing the final Stage - Brazil and Argentina. With an epic final set, the focus will likely rest on one man and his apparent International Tourney Demons, Lionel Messi.

If you make a claim that Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest football player to have ever graced the stage till date, there would certainly be a lot of affirmations to that claim. One of the most decorated individual players in footballing history, his accomplishments speak for themselves when the GOAT (Greatest of all time ) issue is raised. Through the years, Messi has won Virtually all major Trophies there is to win from Age grade competitions up to his Senior career at Barcelona. Such Titles Include an Under 20 World Cup and Olympic Medal for Argentina; La Liga and Multiple Champions League Trophies with Barcelona.

However, there is one piece of silverware conspicuously missing from his very impressive Cabinet which many pundits and critics alike constantly point out, and that is a major International Trophy at Senior Level for Argentina.

Close Calls

This apparent 'failure' though isn't for lack of trying. You see Messi holds the record for the most appearances for Argentina (150 and counting) and has participated in virtually every major Tournament since he made his senior Debut in August 2005. Since then Argentina has come really close to obtaining silverware a number of times, including a Final Defeat to Germany at the 2014 World Cup. These close calls which has also seen them with 3 silver Medals at the Copa America in the period under review. Despite Messi's best efforts (he holds the record for the most Copa America goals, for instance), Argentina has come up short time and yet again.

These setbacks have also had their own effects on the player himself, who often bears the brunt of criticism when the team fails. It was so bad after the 2016 Copa Final loss to Chile that he announced his retirement from international football. Thankfully, he reversed that decision. As badly as the player himself seems to want an international Trophy, it is largely critics who have tied that stat to his Legacy.

Should it Matter?

Even if they do fall to Brazil at the final on Saturday, or Messi never wins an international title, the question is why tie it into his legacy. Some pundits provide somewhat weak arguments while making comparisons between Messi and the Late Maradona, Pele or even his modern Rival Cristiano Ronaldo. All have won major Titles for their national teams and were instrumental in their triumph. Should it matter if Messi is kept out of this club? I think the stats obviously speaks for itself in this case and regardless of a title triumph, the man will go down as one of, if not - the greatest footballer in history.