How Scaloni unlocked Messi's goal scoring at World Cup for Argentina - ESPN

There was once a time when the burden of carrying Argentina's dreams had become too much to bear for Lionel Messi.

In 2016, the responsibility of winning a coveted trophy with his beloved home nation exhausted him to the point of an abrupt international retirement after a heartbreaking loss on penalties to Chile in the Copa America final. Desperation to win a World Cup turned into fierce criticism in Argentina, as Diego Maradona's shadow loomed large.

The weight of the blue-and-white Albiceleste shirt is heavy, and Messi felt it the most — until everything changed with Lionel Scaloni's appointment as manager. Previously serving as Argentina's U20s manager, Scaloni became the senior team coach in the aftermath of Argentina's round-of-16 loss to France at the World Cup.

Once defined by his failure to lead Argentina to a trophy, Messi is now the veteran wizard the team is built around. The second he gets the ball, feints and moves, teams are desperately scrambling around.

It's reminiscent of his Barcelona days, with Messi now at the staggering age of 39. He has scored 15 times (and counting) in the two World Cups with Scaloni. Before that? Just six goals in four World Cups.

What changed? Why did Messi see less success on the international stage during his peak? And how did Scaloni figure out the best way to use him, transforming him into the World Cup's greatest goal scorer? Going down the rabbit hole of Messi's past World Cups provides the answers.

The Messi era didn't really begin until 2014 for Argentina at the World Cup. In 2006, he was used sparingly as a 17-year-old, starting once and coming on as a substitute. In 2010, Maradona was the coach, bringing plenty of motivation and aura but scarcely any tactical nous.