Lionel Messi Retires From International Soccer After Argentina’s Loss To Chile In Copa America Final

Barcelona star Lionel Messi may never play for Argentina again following the national team’s Copa America Centenario final loss to Chile on Sunday night.

Lionel Messi Retires From International Soccer

Argentina lost 4-2 on penalties to Chile after a 0-0 tie at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and Messi, who looked utterly heartbroken after missing Argentina’s first penalty, stated following the match that his international career is over.

“My thinking right now and thinking about it in the locker room, I’m done playing with the national team,” the 29-year-old forward told a group of reporters, including ESPN’s Diego Monroig. 

When continually pressed about whether he was officially retiring or not, Messi simply said: “I tried my hardest. It’s been four finals, and I was not able to win. I tried everything possible. It hurts me more than anyone, but it is evident that this is not for me. I want more than anyone to win a title with the national team, but unfortunately, it did not happen.”

The superstar previously lost the Brazil 2014 World Cup, when Argentina fell to Germany in the final, and three Copa America finals while playing for his country’s team, including last year’s tournament, which Chile also won.

Messi was also asked if he would ever wear Argentina’s jersey again.

“I don’t think so,” he said. “I’ve thought about it. Like I said earlier, I tried everything possible to win. And that’s it. It’s four finals lost.”

Messi is not the only Argentine player whose tenure with the national team may be over, however.

Forward Sergio Aguero, who plays for Manchester City, said he and several of his international teammates could follow Messi’s lead and retire.

“The likelihood is that Messi is not the only one that will leave the national team,” Aguero, who lost his third final with Argentina, told Ole newspaper. “There are several players like me that are evaluating whether or not to continue.”

Aguero, 28, has played for Argentina’s senior side since September 2006, and replaced Gonzalo Higuain in the 70th minute of Sunday’s game. He empathized with Messi, a five-time World Player of the Year, and his frustration after the loss.

“Unfortunately, the one that leaves most affected is Leo Messi after his penalty miss,” the 28-year-old Aguero said. “This is the worst that I’ve seen him in the changing room.

“We are all affected and we will try to think about something else and move forward. Again, luck was not on our side.”

Argetina’s starting goalkeeper, Sergio Romero, said he hopes Messi will reconsider his decision. Argentina was seeking to end a 23-year senior trophy drought on Sunday.

Messi missed Argentina’s first penalty in Sunday’s final by shooting the ball over the crossbar. Arturo Vidal also missed the first penalty for Chile. Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, Messi’s Barcelona teammate, then saved Lucas Biglia’s penalty to keep Chile up 3-2 before Francisco Silva netted the final game-winning penalty past Romero to give Chile their second straight Copa America title, following their championship won last year at home.

Bravo took the time to praise Messi after the game.

“In my opinion, he is the best player in the world and in history,” Bravo told Marca. “They have to enjoy him, value him and understand him.”

Both him and Messi served as their respective national team’s captain and after the game, Bravo went over to Argentina’s bench, where Messi sat and hid, to shake hands, hug, and exchange a few words with his dismayed Barcelona teammate.

Sunday’s final was full of injuries, dubious officiating and close scoring chances, though neither team was ultimately able to find the back of the net in 90 minutes of regulation or 30 minutes of extra time.

In the 21st minute, Chile defender Gary Medel let a pass slip by him, allowing Higuain to scamper into the close-at-hand Chile box while Bravo rushed out to attempt a save on the imminent shot. However, Higuain cut right and lifted his shot over the diving Bravo. All of MetLife Stadium watched and held their breath as Medel, who rapidly chased after Higuain and then the ball to correct his mistake, attempted to clear the ball, which bounced a few inches wide off the left post, and in the process crashed painfully into the post, throwing out his right arm at it to brace for the impact. Medel remained down for a few minutes, but was ultimately ok to continue playing.

Both teams ended up playing with ten men after each side had a player who was ejected. For Chile, it was Marcelo Diaz, who received a second yellow card and then immediately a red card for fouling Messi twice. Then in the 42nd, Argentina defender Marcos Rojo was ejected for a dirty slide tackle on Vidal. A brawl between the two teams appeared to simmer as the Chilean players angrily argued with Brazilian referee Heber Lopes over his questionable calls.

Romero had a key save in the 80th minute off a breakaway shot from Chile’s Eduardo Vargas. Argentine defender Javier Mascherano then kicked the rebound way off the field. Vargas also had a good header in extra time, in the 98th minute after a cross, but Romero was again there to make the stop for Argentina.

Bravo had his own stunning save in the 100th minute on a free kick from Messi shot from about 36 meters out. Aguero connected with a header on Messi’s cross, but Bravo leaped to bat out the high-aimed shot.

The US lost to Colombia 1-0 in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday to finish fourth in the tournament. Carlos Bacca scored Colombia’s lone goal by sliding in for a kick off a cross from Santiago Arias, which came after a lob to the right side of the goal by James Rodriguez. 

PHOTO: EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – JUNE 26: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina looks on against Chile during the Copa America Centenario Championship match at MetLife Stadium on June 26, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Chile defeated Argentina 4-2 in penalty kicks. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena