With Argentina's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in jeopardy, Messi produced a stunning individual display to drag his team from the brink of humiliation to the World Cup finals in Russia.
Messi scored one of his most important hat-tricks to bring Argentina from behind to beat Ecuador 3-1. In doing so, the great man did not just save his country. He also ensured that the national team’s wretched performances did not drag down his legacy, did not deny him a place on football’s greatest stage while still on his greatest level.
The pressure on Messi was intense, the critics were waiting for his failure but the legend like always delivered when probably the whole of Argentina was on his back.
After Romario Ibarra had put Ecuador into a first-minute lead, captain Messi rescued his side with his fifth — and most vital — international hat-trick. The forward netted twice in eight first-half minutes to turn the game on its head before a wonderful chip after the break secured the victory and their plane ticket to Russia.