LUSAIL, Qatar — The darkest moments of Lionel Messi’s Argentina career began with a lonely walk. He broke from a shoulder-to-shoulder line of tense teammates and crept into a searing spotlight. It was the final chapter of a frenzied night, Argentina’s first attempt of a penalty shootout after a 120-minute beating. And with every agonizingly slow step, from midfield to the penalty spot, pressure seized Messi’s magical limbs.
It was June 26, 2016, six years before he strode into a similar spotlight here at the World Cup. And on that night in New Jersey, with a lesser trophy within reach, he glanced toward goal with a pained squint.