It was the fourth final he had lost with his country and he said later he was retiring from worldwide soccer.
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In July 2015, at the last Copa America, the Argentine team again fell at the final hurdle, losing to Chile on penalties. But if he does not play another global soccer game, his glittering résumé will have one glaring hole: a championship with Argentina.
“The likelihood is that Messi is not the only one that will leave the national team”, said Aguero, who lost his third final with Argentina, to Olenewspaper.
It was a carbon copy of last year’s Copa America final, also won by Chile on penalties after a goalless draw.
“That’s it, I’ve already tried enough, ‘ he told TyC”. I think it’s best for everyone, for me and for many people who want it.
I understand perfectly well @TeamMessi decision. I tried everything possible.
“Unfortunately, the most broken one is Messi for his missed penalty”. This is the worst I’ve seen the dressing room. He has played with the likes of Ronaldinho, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Luis Suarez and Neymar; and these players have helped him take his legacy forward but when you compare it to Argentina, he has fallen short despite having played alongside the likes of Higuain, Aguero, Mascherano, Tevez and others.
“There are several players like me that are evaluating whether or not to continue”.
“This is a team work, when you win, everyone wins, and when you lose, everyone loses”.
Though the 29-year-old has 55 goals playing for Argentina over the past 11 years, he has failed to lead them to the ultimate goal as they have lost in the Copa America finals three times and the World Cup final once.
Like most Messi fans, I was hopeful that the little Argentine would end his country’s 23-year trophy drought in this year’s Copa America, held in the US.
Celebrating both his team and individual success, the 27-year-old posted an image to his Instagram account from the Chile dressing room at the MetLife Stadium in NY.
It’s very hard, but the decision is taken.
The second half provided more of the same and although Chile, who have never beaten Argentina in open play in 26 previous Copa America encounters, at least managed to call Romero into action, neither side created any clear cut chances.
Away from global football Messi has had a glittering career with Barca, who he joined at the age of 13 from Newell’s Old Boys.
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Maradona became football’s ultimate God when he helped Argentina win the World Cup nearly single handedly.
