let's talk about Messi's International career with Argentina before that magical 2021 Copa America run 2004 marked the beginning of a new era for Argentina when a young Prodigy named lonel Messi made his debut in a friendly match against Hungary this moment heralded the arrival of a player who would go on to redefine football for an entire generation the 2005 FIFA confederations cup offered a glimpse of Messi's potential at just 18 he became the youngest Argentine to participate in the tournament Argentina performed admirably reaching the final but was overwhelmed by Brazil in a 4-1 defeat despite the loss Messi's Talent was evident and hopes were high for the future but it was a sign of some things to come the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany was Messi's first on the world stage Argentina Advanced to the quarter finals facing Germany in a match that ended in heartbreak with a penalty shootout defeat following a 1-1 draw Messi though sparingly used managed to score in the group stage against Serb and Montenegro marking his arrival on football's biggest stage