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Lionel Messi once retired<\/a> from international football after blasting a penalty into the American sky to lose a Copa America final 10 years ago.<\/p>\n A decade on, Messi\u2019s problems from the spot persist on US soil, but his magic is more than masking that flaw as he continues to lead the Argentina quest for World Cup glory at the age of 39.<\/p>\n The eight-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner\u2019s latest penalty miss left the world champions staring at a shock exit to Egypt<\/a> in the last 16 on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Either side of seeing his spot-kick saved by Mostafa Shobeir, goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko put Egypt into a 2-0 lead with just 11 minutes remaining.<\/p>\n It was already the second time Messi had failed to net a penalty at this tournament \u2014 he fired wide against Austria in the group stages \u2014 becoming the only player to miss more than one in any World Cup.<\/p>\n Adding to misses against Iceland in 2018 and Poland four years ago, Messi\u2019s failure to score four World Cup penalties is another record, but an unwanted one.<\/p>\n His overall career conversion rate of 116 goals from 150 attempts (77 per cent) from the spot is bang on the global average.<\/p>\n What stands out is such a frailty for a player who is anything but average.<\/p>\n When he missed in a shootout against Chile in the final of the Copa America Centenario in 2016, a devastated Messi broke down in tears and promptly announced a shock retirement from international football.<\/p>\n At the time he had yet to win a major tournament with Argentina and, despite his brilliance for Barcelona, back home he had been unable to follow in the footsteps of Diego Maradona by winning the World Cup.<\/p>\n Within a few months he reversed that retirement. A decade on those doubts are long forgotten with Messi the figurehead for two<\/a> Copa America triumphs and Argentina\u2019s long-awaited third World Cup<\/a> four years ago in Qatar.<\/p>\n In Atlanta, there were more tears, happy ones this time, with Messi overcome with emotion at a remarkable turnaround.<\/p>\n His cross for Cristian Romero to head in started a remarkable fightback as the champions dragged themselves off the canvas to remain in contention.<\/p>\n \u2018Look at his attitude\u2019<\/h2>\n