Disheartened by losing three finals in past three years, lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers, brought down the curtain on his international career on Monday. Soon after Chile defeated his home team Argentina 4-2 in penalty kicks to win the Copa America Centenario championship, an emotional Messi announced his retirement from international football.
“The national team is over for me,” Messi, all time top scorer for Argentina, told the Argentine network TyC Sports. “It’s been four finals, it’s not meant for me. I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over.”
After losing the 2014 World Cup Final and last year’s Copa America Final against Chile, the 29-year-old came close to realising his dream of winning his first ever title with the international side. But the outcome was a repeat of last year’s Copa Final, as Argentina lost in 4-2 in shoot-out after the match ended goalless.
Messi, owner of 55 international goals in 113 matches, was simply not able to replicate his club’s (Barcelona) success with his national team. The shootout loss against Chile was the fourth Final the five-time Ballon d’Or winner lost with his country.
He was also part of the Argentina side that lost the 2007 Copa America Final against Brazil 3-0.
Despite all the setbacks, Messi’s legacy can never be questioned. He will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greatest of his generations.
However, due to his inability to win a title with his national team, the Barcelona forward may not be remembered on par with a certain legend from his own country - Diego Maradona, who single handedly helped Argentina win the 1986 World Cup.
Nonetheless, Messi has and always will be regarded as a legend in his country and football will certainly miss the fancy feet of the little magician.