Lionel Messi Actually Won His First International Trophy On Saturday

The most often used criticism against Lionel Messi is that he's never won any silverware with Argentina but that's not actually the case, because the national team won the Copa San Juan on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo captured his second title with Portugal on Sunday, when they beat Netherlands in the Nations League final, giving his fans mor ammunition in the war on Lionel Messi's fans over who really is the G.O.A.T.

However what they, and many others, clearly missed was that Argentina won the Copa San Juan on Saturday night when they beat Nicaragua 5-1, with Messi bagging twice in the game.

What do you mean you've never heard of the San Juan Cup?! Don't worry because neither had we, nor anyone else until the five time Ballon d'Or winner got his hands on it.

The match was nothing more than a pre Copa America friendly played at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, which the cup was named after.

It's the international equivalent of the Thomas Cook trophy, now called the Super Match, which is a trophy given out at one of Manchester City's friendlies every other year- it's not even as good as the Emirates Cup basically.

Of course it's only Messi fans who want to count the trophy towards the Barca man's extensive list of silverware:

A lack of trophies with Argentina, outside the Olympic gold medal and U20 World Cup, is the main argument against the five time Ballon d'Or winner being the greatest of all time.

It's certainly not for want of effort from Messi. Three years in a row from 2014 to 2016 he was a losing finalist in international tournaments, losing the World Cup in extra time and two Copa Americas on penalties, both to Chile.

Without him the national side wouldn't have got that far and wouldn't have even qualified for the World Cup in Russia last year.

Once again Messi will be hoping to end his dry spell with the national team at the Copa, being hosted by Brazil this summer.

Will Messi finally win some international silverware that isn't a made up friendly trophy?

Topics: Football News, Barcelona, Nations League, Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or, Portugal, Netherlands, Argentina, Copa America, Cristiano Ronaldo

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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