He says he has done all he can and it hurts not to be a champion.
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Asked if a decision has been made to leave team Argentina, Messi responded, “I think so”. “The first thing that comes to my mind and that I have thought is that the end has come for me and our team [Argentina]”. Chile defeated Argentina 4-2 in penalty kicks.
Lionel Messi of Argentina during the Copa America semifinals vs. US on June 22.
They lost last year’s Copa final to host Chile on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw.
He recovered to help Barcelona win the Spanish title once more and was relishing the prospect of leading Argentina at the Copa America Centenario. With Crespo’s 35 goals taking just 64 outings, Messi has the third-best record of any Albiceleste player.
“Messi’s numbers are unparalleled and I think they’ll remain that way forever, because it’s impossible for a football player to do what Messi has done”, said Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi, who is from Argentina.
Despite a glittering career that has seen him named FIFA World Player of the Year five times, Messi has faced persistent sniping from critics in Argentina.
The defeat was rendered even more poignant for Argentina fans as Messi announced his global retirement.
He referred to the four major competition finals he has played with Argentina – all of which he lost.
Chileans meanwhile celebrated their second Copa America triumph in a row after last year’s win on home soil – also by penalties over Argentina.
The defeat proved too much for the Barcelona star, but a hard relationship with the ailing Argentinian Football Association may well have contributed to his decision.
He then equaled Argentina’s worldwide goal scoring record of 54, held by Gabriel Batistuta, in the quarter-finals before setting a new mark with his 55th global goal in the semi-final win over the United States.
Since the announcement has been made, speculation has risen over Messi’s possible reasoning for walking away from the team – and whether Messi is serious about dropping off the global team for good.
His teammate Sergio Aguero also said that after missing his penalty, he was a “broken man”.
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Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero saved the opening kick by Arturo Vidal, and up stepped Messi, Argentina’s captain and career scoring leader with 55 goals, he sent his shot into the stands, stunning himself, both teams and the crowd.
