Pele had reigned as South America’s outright leading international marksman for 59 years since outranking Ademir de Menezes, who hit 32 goals for Brazil.

Diego Maradona and Messi both made their Argentina debuts against Hungary, coming off the bench in the 62nd and 63rd minutes respectively. ‘La Pulga Atomica’ was sent off just two minutes into his bow.

On 1 March 2006, having already brilliantly set up Carlos Tevez’s goal, Messi intercepted a Stjepan Tomas pass, jinked inside the Croatia defender and exquisitely curled the ball home from just outside the box.

Twitter and iPhones didn’t exist. Facebook was effectively only accessible to North American students. The Big Bang Theory, Ugly Betty, Dexter and Keeping Up with the Kardashians had yet to hit TV screens. Novak Djokovic had yet to win an ATP title and was ranked 63rd in the world. We Belong Together by Mariah Carey, Gold Digger by Kanye West, Sorry by Madonna and Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield were flying high on singles’ charts across the globe. Pluto was the universe’s ninth planet. It was reclassified as a dwarf planet months later. Momiji Nishiya and Rayssa Leal, who seized gold and silver in women’s street skating at Tokyo 2020, were not even born. Brokeback Mountain, Crash, King Kong and Memoirs of a Geisha had just won a joint-high three awards at the Oscars.

Messi was sent on for his FIFA World Cup™ debut in the 76th minute against Serbia and Montenegro at Germany 2006. Within three minutes he’d set up Hernan Crespo to score and ten minutes later he slotted home to seal a 6-0 victory – Argentina’s joint-biggest in the competition.

Mexico Copa America 2007 There are chips, there are incredible chips and then there’s Messi’s masterpiece. The elevation was truly mind-blowing. It helped Argentina reach the final.

Brazil International friendly, 2012 In the 84th minute of an engrossing East Rutherford clash, Messi collected the ball, pinned to the right touchline, with Marcelo pouncing. The Argentinian somehow conned his adversary, carried the ball north-west and, from just outside the box, fizzed an impeccable curler into the top corner to seal his hat-trick and a 4-3 win. It was nominated for that year’s FIFA Puskás Award. Bosnia and Herzegovina Brazil 2014 Messi picked up possession near the centre-circle, shimmied Muhamed Besic and set off. He then played a one-two with Gonzalo Higuain, exquisitely slalomed around Ermin Bicakcic and produced a supreme, low finish from just outside the penalty area that went in off the post and, ultimately, earned Argentina a 2-1 victory in their opener.

IR Iran Brazil 2014 The deadlock was intact when the ball fell to Messi in injury time. Minimal danger seemed apparent but he instantly shifted the ball to his left and produced a sensational strike from distance. Nigeria Russia 2018 The movement; the imaginative, exceptional, first-time control on his thigh, the palatial second touch to ward off Kenneth Omeruo; the dynamic finish… hypothetically, would any other player in football history have scored that goal? Messi did it to help snatch a 2-1 victory in a win-or-bust game for Argentina.

Messi propelled Argentina to FIFA U-20 World Cup™ and Men’s Olympic Football Tournament glory, but had to wait 16 years for his first senior international title. After finishing runner-up thrice at the Copa America and once at the World Cup, the Rosario native helped La Albiceleste conquer South America in July.