Washington, D.C, June 27:Barcelona star striker Lionel Messi on Monday announced his retirement from global football after missing a penalty in Argentina’s 2-4 defeat against Chile in the Copa America Centenario final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
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“I’ve done all I can, I’ve been in four finals and it hurts not to be a champion”. This is a decision which many suspect could have been taken in the heat of the moment, but nonetheless, the Argentine has left the global stage with nothing impressive to offer on the trophy front.
Having lost Copa America finals in 2007, 2015 and 2016 and the World Cup final in 2014 Messi has turned his back on the global game.
“Unfortunately, the one that leaves most affected is Leo Messi after his penalty miss”, the 28-year-old Aguero said.
A 4-0 last-eight loss to Germany ended Argentina’s participation in the tournament in South Africa, where they were coached by Diego Maradona, but Messi was acknowledged as one of the competition’s best players. This time, Messi missed his spot-kick and then quit.
Argentina edged past Colombia on penalties, before the final with hosts Chile was decided on spot-kicks.
“But it seems to be the best player in history played today here in the United States and for me the numbers are irrefutable”.
“That group has helped us become a strong national team, a team that can compete with the best”, Pizzi said.
Corruption in the AFA could also be playing into Messi’s decision. “It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over”, he added.
Despite being tagged by many as the greatest player in the world, Messi will also be known as the world’s greatest choker, who failed to deliver when it mattered the most in global football.
Messi leads his team out for what looks to be the final time.
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Argentina’s next major global tournament would be the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation.
