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Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has had an illustrious career. The Argentine talisman has won titles all around the globe. Yet, even a player of Leo’s career cannot win every final. La Pulga has had an iconic career over the years with the player’s side making it into the finals for a record 43 times. However, there are times when Leo has had to settle for the runners-up medal in his career. In this list we will look at the finals Lionel Messi has lost in his career.

FIFA World Cup 2014

Perhaps the biggest defeat in Lionel Messi’s career. La Pulga was en route to lifting the World Cup title back in 2014, as Argentina made their way all the way to the finals.

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via Imago

However, the German side dashed Leo’s hopes as Mario Gotze’s screamer in the 113th minute of the game, secured the World Cup title for the German side. Messi following the defeat had to wait eight more years to play in a World Cup final. This time Leo was prepared for the challenge, as Argentina defeated France in the penalties of the World Cup 2022 to lift the title.

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Copa America 2007, 2015, 2016 (X3)

Another blemish on Lionel Messi’s pitch-perfect record. La Pulga has often been criticized for his performances for the Argentine national team. Many fans believed that Leo failed to deliver when it came to the Albiceleste. The Inter Miami superstar has lost a total of 3 finals in the tournament with one defeat against Brazil and two against Chile. While Leo was in his early days during the finals with Brazil, the star player was put under the pounder after the team’s consecutive defeats against Chile in 2015 and 2016.

Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi: From FIFA 2004 to EA Sports FC 24, Who Had the Best Stats & Ratings Historically?

Copa Del Rey 2011, 2013, 2019 (X3)

Barcelona were known for their domination in the Copa Del Rey. However, the side had a rough phase in the early 2010s as they were defeated twice in the finals in 2011 and 2013 at the hands of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. The side then won the tournament for four consecutive seasons before they were defeated by Valencia in 2019.

Supercopa de Espana 2012, 2015, 2017, 2020 (X4)

While Messi has been outstanding when it comes to the Spanish Super Cup, it is one tournament he has lost the most time in his career. Leo has lost the Supercopa de Espana for a record four times in his career.

The former Barcelona star faced his first defeat in the tournament when Real Madrid defeated the side on away goals.

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FIFA Club World Cup 2006

One of the earliest defeats in La Pulga’s career. Barcelona was squared up against Inter de Porto Alegre in the finals of the Club WC in 2006. However, Leo, who was quite young, was benched from the Blaugrana side for the finals. The Brazilian side stunned the Spanish giant, defeating them 1-0 to lift the title to hand little Leo his first defeat in a tournament final.

US Open Cup 2023

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The latest defeat for Lionel Messi in the finals comes from Inter Miami’s heartbreaking loss to Houston Dynamo in the coveted US Open Cup finals. While Miami had a great run to the finals, the team missed Leo’s services as the star player had to stay out of the game due to an injury. Houston emerged as the better side winning the game 2-1 to hand Lionel Messi his 13th loss in the finals of a tournament.

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Written by

Saurabh Saket

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One take at a time

Saurabh Saket is a soccer writer at EssentiallySports. While Saket has been a football fan for a while, his passion for the sport stems from FIFA 17 which featured Borussia Dortmund superstar Marco Reus on its cover. With dreams of standing as a part of the Yellow Wall at Signal Iduna Park, Saket loves to write about the game from a fan’s perspective giving his take on recent happenings.
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Edited by

Sreeda U M