Messi and the 'curse' of Tata Martino for Barça and Argentina

Tata Martino has without question brought no luck for Lionel Messi for either club or country.

The Argentina coach failed to lead his team to Copa America glory on Sunday and it follows the same disappointment he endured during his brief spell with Barça.

After winning the Argentina Primera Division with Newell's Old Boys in 2013, Martino became Barça's coach on a three-year deal in what was seen as an unlikely move by the club. 

Although he won the Supercopa de Espana against Atletico Madrid, it would prove to be his first and only title for the Blaugrana as he left at the end of his debut season, losing out on the Primera Division title to the Rojiblancos on the final day of the 2013/14 season in the process.

He was also defeated in the Copa del Rey final to Real Madrid and was knocked-out by Atletico in the Champions League quarter-finals that same campaign.

Messi and Martino's paths crossed subsequently crossed once more when the latter became the Alibiceleste's coach in August 2014. Together, they reached two Copa America finals but lost both times to Chile, leading Messi to announce his retirement from international in the aftermath of the final at the MetLife Stadium. 

It remains to be seen whether they will link up together once more in the future.