Eight years ago, in the 2014 edition of the FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi took on the responsibility of taking Argentina to the World Cup title. Despite the not so impressive trio of Gonazalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero (who picked up an injury) and Angel Di Maria, Messi continued to plough on. And he did. But he and his team of white and sky blue shirts couldn't clear the final hurdle.
Argentina went down by a solitary goal to Germany in the summit clash, with Mario Gotze scoring the late extra time winner. Messi was handed the Golden Ball for Player of the Tournament (a decision many didn't agree with). But for him the World Cup trophy is what really mattered, not the prize for being the best in the tournament, which many would argue, he really wasn't in 2014.
