Argentina

Argentina claimed their first World Cup title on home soil in Buenos Aires, with Mario Kempes finishing as top scorer with 6 goals — including two in the final against Netherlands. The tournament remains controversial due to the political context of Argentina's military government, but Kempes' brilliance was undeniable.

Diego Maradona's 1986 tournament in Mexico stands as the single greatest individual World Cup performance in history. His two goals against England in the quarter-final — the 'Hand of God' and the 'Goal of the Century' — define football mythology. He then dragged an ordinary squad to the final in 1990, where Argentina lost on penalties to Germany despite Maradona's best efforts.

Gabriel Batistuta became Argentina's all-time WC top scorer (later overtaken by Messi) across three tournaments. Despite boasting technically gifted squads, Argentina could not get past the quarter-finals, losing on penalties in 1998 and 2006.

Messi's World Cup journey was football's longest-running compelling drama — four successive tournaments, each ending in heartbreak. In 2014 he was the best player in the tournament but Argentina lost the final to Germany in extra time. Then in Qatar 2022 — at age 35 — he delivered one of the greatest individual tournament performances ever: 7 goals, 3 assists, including a stunning overtime final won on penalties against France. The long-denied redemption was complete.