Messi's World Cup triumph secured his GOAT legacy, but Argentina now faces a daunting future as rising stars try to sustain its golden era without him.

Lionel Scaloni and Argentina are entering a new era of the team's history as they get ready to meet Uruguay and Costa Rica in a pair of international friendlies this November without legends Lionel Messi and Nicolas Otamendi.

Argentina will play Benin on Tuesday night as Lionel Messi plays his final game for his country.

Argentina's rally was remarkable on multiple levels and the first of its kind in World Cup history.

Though Lionel Messi gave Argentina an early lead, the Blue Sharks forced extra time, hitting two incredible equalizers to stay alive before Argentina finally found a game-winner.

In front of a stadium full of Argentina supporters, Messi scored his first-ever World Cup hat trick to tie Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup goals record of 16.

Lionel Messi led Argentina to a World Cup victory in 2022.