Lionel Messi Remains the Best Despite Trophy Drought

Lionel Messi may be considered as the best footballer of his generation but what separates him from greats like Diego Maradona, Pele or Brazilian Ronaldo is the missing international trophy from his cabinet. Messi came into the Copa America with his head held high after leading his club FC Barcelona to three titles in 2014-15 season, but bowed out with another disappointment.(Messi Takes to Facebook to Explain Loss)

Argentina were regarded as favourites by the pundits with many tipping Messi to end his international drought and silence his critics once and for all. They had the cast and the crew but the stars flopped when it mattered the most. Argentina's Copa America final loss to hosts Chile has once again opened the debate of Messi's comparisons with the legend Maradona.(Argentina Get Lukewarm Reception)

Argentina are definitely hurt, so is Messi and his fans all over the world. But that will not stop admirers from watching him and his team play again. Messi rules the heart of billions of fans and at this tough hour he needs his followers to support him just like Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli and teammate Ezequiel Lavezzi.(Argentina go Down in Copa Final)

"I'm sure that if Argentina had got the chance to dominate, Messi would have shown that he is the best player in the world. One defeat, one lost final, isn't going to change what Lionel Messi is," Sampaoli said.(Messi vs Maradona: Who is Better?)

"Leo is one who feels these frustrations most. Because he is the best and all eyes are on him. He is destroyed," Lavezzi said.(Messi-Maradona Debate Rages on)

Messi is often appreciated for his accomplishments at Barcelona, but his contribution to the national side can't be ignored. Two final appearances - in 2014 World Cup and now Copa America - in one year proves how good the side has been with him in the playing XI. Argentina have also overtaken Germany as he number one ranked team in the world.

Argentina's 1-0 loss to champions Germany in the World Cup final last year and their defeat on penalties (4-1) in Copa America summit clash speaks a lot about the intensity of the matches that the Messi-led side played. When they needed to go that extra mile, they failed as a unit. It was the 28-year-old striker's third major final appearance -- in 2007 Copa America, Argentina lost to Brazil in the title clash.

It's been 22 years since Argentina last won an international trophy -- 1993 Copa America. Messi and Argentina will have another chance to set things right when United States host Copa America in June 2016 just before the Rio Olympics.

Messi has an Olympic gold medal -- 2008 Beijing Olympics -- but is yet to win a major crown at the senior level. He has scored 46 international goals for Argentina, bettered only by Gabriel Batistuta's 56 goals. Maradona had scored 34 times.