Lionel Messi has announced his decision to retire
from international football following his failure to
help his country secure a win over Chile.
Lionel Messi made the announcement about his
retirement from international duty after he missed
in a penalty shootout as Argentina lost a fourth
major final in nine years.
retirement from international duty after he missed
in a penalty shootout as Argentina lost a fourth
major final in nine years.
"It's not meant for me. For me the national team is
over. I've done all I can, it hurts not to be a
champion," the 29-year-old said after defeat by
Chile at the Copa America.
With Barcelona, Messi has won eight La Liga titles
and four Champions Leagues. But his only major
international honour is 2008 Olympic gold.
It will be recalled that Argentina were beaten 1-0 in
the 2014 World Cup final by Germany before two
Copa America final defeats by Chile on penalties.
Messi was also on the losing side against Brazil in
the 2007 Copa America final.
"It's been four finals, I tried. It was the thing I
wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's
over," he added. "I think this is best for everyone.
First of all for me, and then for everyone. I think
there's a lot of people who want this, who
obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied
reaching a final and not winning it.
"It's very hard, but the decision is taken. Now I will
not try more and there will be no going back."
Messi had scored five times at the tournament,
including a superb free-kick in the semi-final
against hosts the USA to become his country's
record scorer with 55 goals.
Argentina and Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio
Romero said he hoped Messi would "reflect" on
his decision and reconsider, adding: "I think he
spoke while he was heated, because a beautiful
opportunity escaped us. I can't imagine a national
team without Messi."
Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero described
the mood in the Argentina dressing room as "the
worst I've ever been in", and was quoted by South
American media as saying: "There are several
players who are evaluating not continuing with the
national team."
After Sunday's match finished 0-0 in 120 minutes,
Chile won 4-2 on penalties.
Messi's miss was Argentina's first attempt in the
shootout and it ballooned over the bar after
Romero had denied Chile's Arturo Vidal.
Lucas Biglia also missed from 12 yards, with
Chilean substitute Francisco Silva scoring the
decisive spot-kick in the final in East Rutherford,
New Jersey.
Messi made his debut for Argentina in 2005, going
on to make 113 appearances.
For Barca he has scored 453 times in 531 games,
including a La Liga record 312 goals. He has won
the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player
five times.
In 2014 he was named as the best player at the
World Cup, with then-Fifa president Sepp Blatter
saying he was "a little bit surprised" and Argentina
legend Diego Maradona calling the decision
"unfair".
Argentina are already six games into their
qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup.
They are third in the table, two points behind
leaders Uruguay.
The top four teams progress automatically to the
finals in Russia, while the team finishing fifth
qualifies for a two-legged play-off against the best
team from Oceania.
