LEO MESSI TRANSCENDS FATE, FOOTBALL HISTORY

HERE was a point in Lionel Messi's career when it looked like the holy grail would elude him forever.

- 

Messi had featured in four major cup finals for Argentina, including at the 2016 Copa America but had been thwarted each time. After that 2016 final, he decided enough was enough and announced a shock retirement amid a flood of tears. To rub salt, he saw his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo play a part in Portugal winning the European Championships three weeks later. The noise had become toxic as even his compatriots openly questioned whether he cared enough. At the peak of his powers, one of the world's greatest players was mocked because of an inability to deliver gold for his country's senior team. Those accusations seem like a footn