Lionel Messi sensationally announced his worldwide retirement leaving Argentinian football in turmoil after atraumatic penalty shootout defeat to Chile in the Copa America final.
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The heartbroken Barcelona superstar left the field in tears on Sunday after missing a spot-kick in the shoot-out, Messi’s fourth straight defeat in a major final with Argentina.
Taking into account the Confederations Cup, Argentina have lost seven major finals since 1995, three of them to arch-rivals Brazil, and four since Messi’s debut in 2005, including the 2014 World Cup final defeat by Germany.
‘He will go to Russian Federation [for the 2018 World Cup] in form to be world champion’.
“The lads have to be supported more to help him take the team forward”.
Maradona, who said prior to the Copa America Centenario that Messi lacked the personality to lead his country, has asked of the five-time Ballon d’Or victor to retract his decision and play on until the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation.
Messi has experienced some success in Argentina’s colours, after winning the under-20 and Olympic (under-23) titles for his country. Argentine President Mauricio Macri was one of millions to tweet using the hashtag #NoTeVayasLio [Don’t Go Lio], one of many hashtags to have emerged following Messi’s announcement.
“I imagine it was a very hard blow”, Barcelona teammate Gerard Pique said. “I hope he continues playing for Argentina many years”, he added.
29-year-old Messi announced his retirement from the global football after missing his spot-kick in the decisive shootout as Argentina once again lost to Chile.
“I’ve tried a lot to be champion with Argentina”.
Raina also said, “Sad day for football lovers We Will Miss You Messi #JersyNo10 #Messi #HeartOftheGame”.
“He called him and told him how proud he feels of the national team’s performance and asked him not to listen to the criticism”, a spokesman for the president told AFP by telephone. They don’t play and they don’t let him mourn. He lost three Copa America finals (2007, 2015 and 2016) and was on the team eliminated at home in the 2011 quarterfinals of the South American competition.
He then equalled Argentina’s global scoring record of 54, held by Gabriel Batistuta, in the quarter-finals before setting a new mark with his 55th worldwide goal in the semi-final win over the United States.
“It’s been four finals, I tried”.
“I did not see the end because it was late and I had commitments”, he said.
He was also the subject of more sniping from Argentina legend Diego Maradona.
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“For me, the only thing Leo’s words were good for is to cover up all the disasters there are in Argentine soccer”.
