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Lionel Messi will likely go down as the greatest player to have ever played the game. The generational prodigy from Argentina has achieved milestones that are unlikely to ever be surpassed at Barcelona but his international career has been one of heartbreaking near-misses.
Argentina have always had excellent players in their ranks but have been unable to find a fluid combination of stars that can take the team to the pinnacle of the sport. Lionel Messi has played in a World Cup final and three Copa America finals with Argentina but has failed to win an official trophy with his country.
Lionel Messi is yet to win a major trophy with Argentina
Lionel Messi's well-documented disappointments with his national team should not overshadow the fact that the Barcelona talisman has produced some sensational performances for the Albicelestes. With a tally of 71 goals, Lionel Messi remains Argentina's most prolific goalscorer of all time and has dragged his team across the finish line on several occasions.
Argentina have been blessed with some exceptional players over the years and many of these stars have complemented Lionel Messi to good effect on the pitch. Here is a list of players who have played alongside the modern-day legend and have made a name for themselves in Argentina's rich footballing folklore
#5 Sergio Romero
Argentina have always been known for their attacking flair and the team's defensive performances often slip under the radar. Given the sheer abundance of creative talent that exists within the squad, it comes as no surprise that Sergio Romero remains one of the most underrated players to have emerged from the South American country.
Sergio Romero's club career has been a series of unfortunate lows but his misfortune has not prevented him from pulling off memorable performances for Argentina. The Manchester United shot-stopper played a pivotal role in Argentina's 2014 World Cup campaign and was one of his side's most important players alongside Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano.
Romero has played 76 games with Lionel Messi for Argentina and his understated performances have often spared the Albicelestes' blushes over the years. The shot-stopper remains an important member and the squad and will likely play a part in the 2022 World Cup.
#4 Javier Zanetti
Javier Zanetti is arguably one of the greatest defenders Argentina have ever produced. The former Inter Milan full-back had a long international career and played alongside generations of exceptional players with Argentina.
Zanetti was an active member of the Argentina side when Lionel Messi made his international debut in 2005. The full-back was an important member of the side and his leadership abilities had a positive impact on the young Lionel Messi.
Javier Zanetti was controversially excluded from the Argentina squad for both the 2006 and the 2010 World Cup. The legendary defender's international career may have been disrupted by a series of managerial decisions but his legacy left an indelible imprint on Argentina's new generation.
#3 Angel Di Maria
As far as dribbling skills are concerned, Lionel Messi is the best player in Argentina's ranks by a country mile. The South American nation has always had a reputation for producing magical players, however, and Angel Di Maria is arguably the only individual from the current generation who can hold a torch to his illustrious teammate.
Di Maria is one of the few players to have shared a dressing room with both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and is a match-winner in his own right. The Argentine winger has produced exceptional performances for his nation in the past and shares a fruitful relationship with Lionel Messi both on and off the pitch.
The two forwards have combined for a total of nine goals with Argentina and often start on either flank for the Albicelestes. Consistency has often been Angel Di Maria's weakness over the years but the former Real Madrid man remains one of Lionel Messi's most talented national teammates.
#2 Sergio Aguero
In addition to being one of Argentina's most talented strikers over the past decade, Sergio Aguero also shares an excellent friendship with Lionel Messi. The two prodigies have played together for their country for nearly two decades and enjoy each other's company both on and off the pitch.
Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero have combined for an impressive 16 goals for Argentina and their styles of play seem to be an ideal fit in the final third. Sergio Aguero has scored an impressive 41 goals for Argentina and has often played an important role in the Albicelestes' qualifying campaigns.
Aguero is 32 years old at the moment and is likely to feature alongside Lionel Messi for Argentina in the 2022 World Cup. The two superstars have been good friends for most of their professional lives and will look forward to one last hurrah a few years down the line.
#1 Javier Mascherano
For a nation that have often produced creative magicians of the highest ilk, Javier Mascherano is an extraordinary exception. The former Barcelona man brought a fighting spirit to an Argentina side that was in desperate need of inspiration and was one of the most important cogs of the team alongside Lionel Messi.
Javier Mascherano's crunching tackles served as the perfect foil for the likes of Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria and made Argentina a well-balanced side. The versatile defensive midfielder brought his unique talents to the fore in the 2014 World Cup and unassumingly spearheaded his side's progress to the final.
Mascherano spent several years with Lionel Messi at Barcelona and was both a mentor and friend to the Argentina captain. The Albicelestes are not particularly known for their defensive stalwarts and are yet to find a midfielder and a leader who can fill the king-sized boots of Javier Mascherano.
Honourable Mentions: Carlos Tevez, Pablo Zabaleta, Roberto Ayala, Pablo Aimar, Ever Banega, Gonzalo Higuain
