FC Barcelona super star Lionel Messi has admitted that lack of titles with the national team is the biggest blot on his incredible trophy record, as he prepares to represent Argentina for 100th time against Jamaica.
Argentina have now gone 22 years without a major international trophy and it has coincided with one of their greatest sons donning the White and Blue.
While Messi has won the Olympics and World Cups at junior level with Argentina, a World Cup and a Copa America final defeat in 2014 and 2007 respectively is the best he can show for his 46 goals with the national side.
And while Messi does hold the records like the youngest Argentine goalscorer at the World Cup, most goals by an Argentine in World Cup qualifiers (10), the player says he regrets not having won anything major with the team.
One the eve of his 100th cap against Jamaica in the final Copa America group B tie, Messi said: “I’m happy to be in that list (100 caps for Argentina). Hopefully I can taste another victory and once & for all lift a cup with Argentina.”
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“I’ve had great experience & unforgettable ones too which help me to grow as a player but unfortunately with no title”.
“Hopefully after reaching the 100 mark, I’ll be able to get my hands on a title for the National Team”
Messi will become only the fifth player alongside Inter Milan legend Javier Zanetti, Roberto Ayala, Javier Mascherano & Diego Simeone to play 100 games for Argentina.
When asked what he made of Argentina’s performance in Copa America, the FC Barcelona star said: “It was a rough start, we made mistake that cost us a win against Paraguay. The criticism was necessary. We made a promise not to repeat those mistakes. We talked a lot about how are we going to correct them”.
Argentina beat Uruguay 1-0 after they had drawn their opening game against Paraguay after blowing away at two goal lead and are now set to reach the last 16 with a draw against Jamaica.
While he does not have the same kind of quality around him in Argentina as in FC Barcelona Lionel Messi will certainly be hoping to finally get his hands on a trophy with the national side.