Like Mascherano, Messi’s career on the world stage is set to end without a major title to his name. Messi has tasted defeat in the final of the Copa America on three occasions. He previously announced his retirement from international football in 2016. But he reversed his decision ahead of qualifying for this year’s World Cup.

Before leaving, Mascherano made a record that he didn’t want to. He became the  most carded player in the tournament’s history. Red and yellow cards were first introduced at football’s showpiece event in 1970. Having already been booked in a group stage meeting with Nigeria, Mascherano would have been suspended for the quarter-finals had his side made it through.

In being booked against France, Mascherano took his tally of World Cup cards to seven. He collected two at his first event in 2006, another two in 2010, one in a final defeat to Germany in 2014 and two in 2018. And, this is the most in the history of the World Cup. The 34 year old star had to leave with a lot of bitter memories in the end.