In the summer of 2016, Lionel Messi stood at the edge of an ending — exhausted by defeat, certain his chapter with Argentina was closed. Yet a nation's grief proved louder than one man's resignation, and what followed across the next decade reframed not only a career but the very meaning of perseverance in sport. The story of Messi's return is, at its heart, a meditation on how legacy is rarely finished when we believe it to be, and how the love of a people can restore what private anguish has surrendered.
BBC News
· Aug 31, 2026
· society
· 6 min read
High
Sourcing: Verified
The decade that almost never was: How Messi nearly missed Argentina's greatest era
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Sports
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Bias & Framing
⚖
BBC presents Messi's retirement reversal as a pivotal moment with largely celebratory framing, emphasizing his achievements while minimizing critical perspectives from that era.
Bias Direction
center-left
Confidence
MED
Narrative redemption arc - frames Messi's story as a triumphant comeback from despair, using dramatic language ('almost never was,' 'broke the hearts of a nation') to emphasize the significance of his decision reversal. The article positions his success as inevitable and deserved rather than examining contextual factors.
broke the hearts of a nation
the world was almost denied
one of football's greatest ever stories
decade of dominance
most significant in Argentine football history
fortunately for Argentina
legendary
Perspectives from Argentine fans or media who criticized Messi during the 2016 retirement period
Analysis of why Messi reversed his decision (beyond 'love of country')
Voices of other Argentine players who contributed to the 2021-2024 successes
Critical examination of whether Messi's earlier tournament failures were primarily his responsibility
Perspective on Argentina's improved team structure/coaching that enabled later success
Geopolitical Impact
🌎
Sports article about Messi's Argentina retirement reversal; no geopolitical implications identified.
Escalation Risk
low
Confidence
HIGH
Economic Lens
📈
Sports narrative about Messi's career has minimal direct economic impact; primarily entertainment/cultural significance with indirect effects on sports tourism and broadcasting revenues.
Market Signal
neutral
Confidence
LOW
Sports and Entertainment
Broadcasting and Media
Tourism (sports-related)
Merchandise and Licensing
Advertising and Sponsorships
Consumers of sports entertainment and Argentine football fans experienced sustained engagement and viewership value over the 2016-2024 period. Messi's continued participation likely increased ticket sales, streaming subscriptions, and merchandise demand, benefiting households through entertainment options and sports-related employment.
No direct policy implications. Indirectly, sustained international sports success may influence government sports funding priorities and tourism promotion strategies in Argentina. Broadcasting regulations may be affected by demand for content rights.