Messi and Mascherano: Ten years of chasing a dream with Argentina

Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano are set to feature in the Copa America final ten years after appearing together with Argentina at the 2006 World Cup.

The pair began to forge their relationship in Germany and purse the dream of winning a title with Argentina. Both have since become integral members of the Albiceleste squad with the former captaining the team before handing responsibilities to the latter.

They were close to achieving a trophy one year later reaching the Copa America 2007 final, but lost 3-0 to Brazil in the final. Then came the Beijing Olympic Games the following year as they tasted success winning the gold medal by beating final opponents Nigeria.

But the Olympic experience was only a small part of the bigger puzzle that Messi and Mascherano have been trying to piece together. Diego Maradona's arrival as Argentina coach in 2008 saw Messi become no.10 and Macherano the captain.

All hopes and dreams were invested into the 2010 World Cup, but Germany broke Argentinian hearts beating the Albiceleste 4-0 in the quarter-finals.

That year, however, would mark a before and after in the duo's relationship as Mascherano completed his move from Liverpool to Barça that same summer and thus linked up with Messi. In his first season, the 32-year-old won the league and Champions League double.

FAILURE AT HOME

Argentina then flopped again in another major tournament, only this time it was on home soil during the Copa America 2011. It seemed like the ideal scenario as it was played in front of their own supporters, but they lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals.

Sergio Batista was subsequently succeeded by Alejandro Sabella whose first decision as coach was significant: Messi would become captain with one eye already on the 2014 World Cup.

With Messi as captain, Argentina reached the final at the Estadio Maracana and were once again beaten by the Germans after an extra-time goal by Mario Gotze. Another Copa America final appearance occurred the following year, but again it was misery as Chile defeated the Albiceleste on penalties.

The teams face each other once more on Sunday, presenting Messi and Mascherano with yet another opportunity to taste glory on the international stage.

They're only 90 minutes away from winning their first ever Copa America title and Argentina's first since 1993.