Messi says he will retire from national team after latest finals loss
Lionel Messi announced late Sunday plans to retire from the Argentinian national team, after Argentina lost the final of the Copa America Centenario, following defeats in the finals of the 2015 Copa America and the 2014 World Cup.
That's it. The national team is over for me," the Argentina captain told Argentina's TyC sports TV channel after the game. "It hurts me more than anyone not to be able to win a title with Argentina, but that's how it is, it didn't happen and unfortunately I leave without achieving it," he said following the loss to Chile onpenalties in the final.
Messi wept on the pitch at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, after missing in the penalty shootout, as Argentina lost 4-2 to Chile on Sunday.
In Brazil in 2014, Argentina lost the final to Germany in extra time, while last year they also lost the Copa America final to Chile in a penalty shootout. In 2007, the young Messi also lost the Copa America final with Argentina, against Brazil.
"It's four finals already, it's not for me," Messi said with a bitter smile. "Unfortunately I worked for it. It was the thing I wanted the most. It couldn't be, but that's it."
He is, according to most observers, one of the best footballers in history and has won everything with his club Barcelona, as well asmany individual awards including the Ballon d'Or in 2009, 2010, 2011,2012 and 2015.
When asked whether his decision was final, Messi appeared confident. "I think so. That is what I feel right now, it's what I think," hesaid.
Team-mate Sergio Romero hoped there was some room for reconsideration."I think he said it because he was emotional," the keeper said minutes later.Over the years, many Argentinians have slammed him for failing to produce for Argentina the performances he put on with Barcelona.
More recently, fans in the football-crazy country have come to appreciate his unwavering efforts, but the elusive results appeared to take their toll on the world-class forward. Messi had travelled 30,000 kilometres in a few days, so he could train with Argentina ahead of the Copa America, appear before a Spanish court where he faced tax evasion charges and return to be with his team-mates.