Lionel Messi & Half The Argentina Squad Set To Retire From International Duty After Losing Out To Chile In Copa America Final

Chris Wright

27th, June 2016

6 Comments

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There were tears aplenty in the aftermath of last night’s Copa America final, with Argentina eventually losing out on penalties to Chile on the back of 120 goalless minutes in New Jersey.

Lionel Messi missed his spot-kick during the shoot-out, sending his effort sailing over the crossbar as Chile scrabbled their way to a 4-2 win and thus back-to-back Copa America titles…

Speaking to reporters after the game, a tearful Lionel Messi insisted that, after losing his fourth major final as an Argentina player, his “participation with the Seleccion” is now over.

I tried so hard to be a champion with Argentina. But it didn’t happen. I couldn’t do it.

I think it’s best for everyone, for me and for many people who want it.

The choice for me is over, it is a decision. I tried many times [to be a champion] but did not.

Messi wasn’t the only one to bow out either, with a raft of other big names reported to have called time on their international careers in response to failing to arrest Argentina’s 23-year trophy-less streak.

ESPN Argentina are claiming that Sergio Aguero, Javier Mascherano, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lucas Biglia, Gonzalo Higuain and possibly several more players are now poised to confirm their respective retirements in the coming days/weeks.

Ouch. Talk about opening the floodgates.

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6 Comments

  1. Jarren says:

    So no Messi at WC 2018! I don’t imagine Russia are happy right now.

    Luckily Portugal have a relatively straightforward qualifying campaign so Ronaldo should be there.

    Imagine the loss in revenue to not have Messi OR Ronaldo at 2018.

  2. Doji Yakubu Fada says:

    Person that cannot deliver for his country should be world best. How can one lost three finals consecutively and still fifa will give him world best five times? Can someone answer this question?

  3. ChilenoDeCorazon says:

    Why there is no news about Chile winning the Copa America? All the news is focused on Messi quitting and no story or images about Chile winning their 2nd Copa America.

    • Geraldo says:

      @ChilenoDeCorazon – you’re absolutely right. Pies and other football websites seem content to brown nose a three-time loser (as if he hasn’t been brown nosed enough in the last decade or so)

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