Turns out that Argentina lost more than just the Copa America title after its match against Chile ended this morning. Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football following the heartbreaking loss to Chile that was decided by penalty shootouts.
Lionel Messi after the penalty shootout against Chile at Copa America final.
A devastated Messi, who himself had missed scoring from the spot kick, told the reporters, “The national team is done for me . . . it’s difficult, it’s a hard moment for any analysis. In the dressing room I though that national team is not for me.”
The Barcelona FC forward had grown frustrated with the governing body AFA (Argentine Football Association) and did not make any effort to hide it. Three days prior to his retirement he wrote on his Instagram page, “Once again waiting on a plane to leave for our destination. What a disaster the AFA are. My god!” [translated]
With the World Cup coming up in two years, his teammates can’t help but think that the decision was hasty and irrational. “I don’t think he’s thought about it properly. I don’t imagine a national team without Messi,” said Sergio Romero, the Argentine goalkeeper.
Watch the striker miss the penalty against Chile here:
