Argentina soccer star Lionel Messi got off to a good start on Tuesday after scoring for his mother country in their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia.

However, the match took an unexpected David and Goliath turn and Argentina ended up losing 1-2 – a huge disappointment for one of the teams.

The surprise defeat raises the stakes even higher for Messi, who, at 35, faces one of the most important tournaments of his storied career.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Messi is also one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the sport with a record seven rewards

Yet despite all his success at the club level, Messi has yet to win the biggest trophy of all for his homeland.

According Messi, the World Cup in Qatar 2022 will be his last shot. "They were difficult days," said Argentinian football agent Horacio Gaggioli

who gave Messi his first contract with the Spanish club, famously signed on a napkin.

Gaggioli recalled seeing the young player cry more than once when his family was separated and his mother returned to Argentina.