From wonderkid to World Cup icon: Messi’s remarkable journey |

Twenty years after Lionel Messi first dazzled on football’s biggest stage, the Argentina captain remains at the centre of the World Cup story, having transformed from a teenage prodigy into one of the tournament’s greatest-ever players.

Messi announced himself to the world during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, making an unforgettable impact in Argentina’s emphatic 6-0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro.

At the time, Argentina boasted one of the most talented squads in their history, featuring stars such as Pablo Aimar, Roberto Ayala, Hernan Crespo, Javier Mascherano, Juan Roman Riquelme, Javier Saviola and Carlos Tevez.

Yet it was the youngest member of the squad who generated the most excitement behind the scenes.

Already a league champion with Barcelona, Messi had become the subject of constant discussion among his international teammates, who marvelled at his goals, dribbling ability and extraordinary talent despite his age.

Although only 17 when the tournament began, Messi had already convinced Argentina’s coaching staff that he possessed rare qualities.

Having left Newell’s Old Boys for Spain as a teenager, he was still relatively unknown to many football followers in Argentina, but his reputation was growing rapidly.

Former Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa was reportedly so astonished by footage of the youngster that he initially believed the video had been sped up.

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Messi eventually made his World Cup debut on June 16, 2006, coming off the bench against Serbia and Montenegro.

“We knew the kid had something special about him. Some of the things he was capable of doing were just unbelievable,” former Argentina winger Maxi Rodriguez recalled.

“The way he looked after the ball, even at full speed – everything he did blew us away.”

Argentina were already cruising when Messi entered the contest in the 74th minute, but the teenager immediately left his mark.

Within minutes, he combined brilliantly with Riquelme before delivering a precise cross for Crespo to score.

He later crowned his memorable cameo by scoring Argentina’s sixth goal, collecting a pass from Tevez and finishing confidently to announce himself on the global stage.

“He was a pure dribbler,” Rodriguez said.

“He’d get on the ball and you’d have thought he was dribbling through cones. He ghosted past his opponents. It was amazing, he made it all look so natural and straightforward.”

That goal proved to be the beginning of a remarkable World Cup journey.

Messi went on to score another 12 goals across subsequent tournaments in South Africa, Brazil, Russia and Qatar, becoming Argentina’s leading scorer in World Cup history while also setting the record for the most appearances at the competition.

Rodriguez believes Messi’s evolution over the years has only strengthened his status as one of football’s greatest players.

“He’d pick up the ball and glide past six or seven players just like that,” he said.

“As the years have gone by, he’s become more of a thinker, and his passing ability has come to the fore. He’s the greatest of all time and such a complete player.”

Reflecting on the qualities that made Messi unique, Rodriguez added: “He had another outstanding quality too: his finishing. He’d be running at full speed and still know exactly where the goal was. We always joke that, when we high-fived, I passed the magic on.”

Now two decades after that breakthrough performance in Germany, Messi continues to defy time and expectation.

Having already secured his place among football’s immortals, the Argentine legend remains determined to add new chapters to a career that has inspired generations and redefined greatness on the World Cup stage.

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