On July 11, 2021, Argentina ended a 28-year wait for a major international trophy by defeating Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final at the Maracana Stadium. 

The victory also earned Lionel Messi his first senior international title, ending years of criticism over his lack of success with the national team despite his extraordinary achievements at club level.

For a team once labelled "serial finalists" after losing three consecutive major finals between 2014 and 2016, the triumph marked the beginning of a remarkable transformation. Argentina followed it up by winning the Finalissima in 2022, the FIFA World Cup later that year and the Copa America in 2024. They have now also reached the quarterfinals of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026.

Yet, despite becoming one of the most successful national teams of recent times, Argentina arguably attracts more scrutiny than admiration. Every success is celebrated by supporters but questioned by many others, making Lionel Scaloni's side one of the most discussed – and polarising – teams in world football.

Argentina's extraordinary run

Few international sides have enjoyed a period of sustained success comparable to Argentina's under Scaloni.

They went on a 36-match unbeaten run spanning from July 2019 to November 2022 before suffering a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening match of the 2022 World Cup. During that streak, Argentina won the Copa America, lifted the Finalissima and completed the World Cup qualifiers without losing a match.

Rather than derailing their campaign, the Saudi Arabia defeat became the turning point. Argentina recovered to win the World Cup after defeating France in one of the greatest finals in the tournament's history.

Their momentum did not stop there. Argentina went on to retain the Copa America, topped the South American World Cup qualifying table and have remained among the world's most consistent teams. Since Scaloni took charge in 2018, Argentina have lost only nine matches while winning 78 out of 101 matches.

Among the greatest modern international teams?

International football has witnessed several dominant eras over the past three decades.

France won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. Brazil lifted the 2002 World Cup and two Copa America titles in 2004 and 2007. Spain produced perhaps the greatest international side of the century by winning Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. France again emerged as a global powerhouse after their 2018 World Cup triumph.

Argentina's achievements now deserve to be mentioned alongside those legendary teams. Winning three major international trophies in as many years has placed Scaloni's squad among the finest international teams of the modern era.

Should they go on to win the 2026 World Cup, their place among football's greatest national teams would become even stronger.

Messi's legacy

For much of his career, Messi faced criticism for not replicating his Barcelona success with Argentina. His international failures became one of the biggest arguments used by those who questioned his place among football's all-time greats.

Those arguments have weakened considerably.

Since 2021, Messi has won every major international honour available. Even at 39, he remains Argentina's driving force, breaking World Cup scoring and assist records while continuing to deliver in the biggest matches.

Even the level of respect Messi commands within the Argentina squad is remarkable. His teammates often play with the kind of commitment that makes it seem as though they would give their lives for him. It is quite astonishing that few, if any, other top players from other national teams receive such admiration and devotion from their teammates.

Although debates involving Messi, Diego Maradona, Pele and Cristiano Ronaldo will likely continue, many believe his achievements with Argentina have significantly strengthened his claim to being football's greatest player.

Why has criticism increased?

Ironically, Argentina's success has also made them a target.

As Brazil have struggled to reclaim their former dominance and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal have fallen short at successive World Cups, Argentina have become the team everyone wants to beat.

Success naturally attracts criticism, but Argentina's recent achievements have also fuelled numerous conspiracy theories, particularly on social media.

Perhaps no issue has generated more debate than refereeing decisions involving Argentina.

During the 2026 World Cup, Messi avoided a card following a challenge against Algeria, while Argentina's dramatic victory over Egypt sparked fierce discussions over two major refereeing decisions.

Egypt's players and coaching staff openly criticised the officiating after the match, with some even questioning the integrity of the tournament.

FIFA and its refereeing department rejected those allegations, insisting that the match officials had applied the Laws of the Game correctly.

Such controversies have reinforced a belief among some fans that Argentina receive favourable treatment, although no evidence has emerged to support claims of systematic bias.

A history that fuels suspicion

Historical controversies have also contributed to modern perceptions.

Argentina's first World Cup triumph in 1978 has long been accompanied by allegations of political influence during the country's military dictatorship under General Jorge Rafael Videla, although definitive proof has never been established.

The 1986 World Cup remains forever associated with Diego Maradona's iconic "Hand of God" goal against England alongside his unforgettable solo goal in the same match.

During the 2022 World Cup, Argentina received five penalties – the most by any team in a single edition -- leading some critics to question whether they benefited excessively from refereeing decisions.

Supporters, however, argue that every penalty awarded was reviewed under VAR and given according to the laws.

Success breeds resentment

Whether fairly or unfairly, Argentina's achievements now receive as much scrutiny as praise.

For supporters, the criticism reflects the resentment that often accompanies prolonged success. For critics, the repeated controversies continue to raise uncomfortable questions.

The truth probably lies somewhere in between.

Argentina's football over the past five years has been exceptional regardless of differing opinions on individual refereeing decisions. Their tactical discipline, defensive solidity and ability to perform under pressure have made them one of the defining international teams of this generation.

Whether admired or disliked, Messi and Argentina have become impossible to ignore. Their legacy will ultimately be judged by history, and history tends to remember champions far more than the debates that surrounded them.