|
NEW JERSEY, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international soccer after Argentina's penalty shootout loss to Chile in the Copa America centenario final.
Messi and Lucas Biglia missed their spot-kicks for Argentina as Chile won the shootout 4-2 after both teams failed to score in 120 minutes.
"For me, the national team is over," a shattered Messi said after the match at the MetLife stadium. "I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion."
Messi is yet to win a major senior tournament trophy for Argentina, whose title drought goes back to 1993.
Sunday's loss was the team's third defeat in a final of a major competition in as many years and a repeat of last year's Copa America final, when Chile also beat their neighbors on penalties.
In 2014, the Albiceleste lost the World Cup final to Germany after a Mario Gotze goal in extra time at Rio's Maracana stadium.
"I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, then for everyone," Messi said.
"I think there's a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it. It's very hard, but the decision is taken. Now I will not try more and there will be no going back."
Despite not making his first tournament start until the quarterfinals due to a back injury, Messi scored five goals in the tournament. Along the way he overtook Gabriel Batista's Argentina scoring record of 54 goals.
Messi's decision drew disbelief in Argentina. The Buenos Aires-based Ole newspaper urged the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to rethink his decision with the front page headline, "Don't go."
"The defeat was what Messi least deserved and shook what is most sacred to him, the desire to play with the national team," the newspaper said.
"Disillusionment cruelly persecutes a generation that has just lost more than another final: their leader," it added.
Another newspaper, La Nacion, reported that Sergio Aguero could join Messi in international retirement.
"There are several players who are considering whether to continue," the Manchester City forward was quoted as saying.
"It's the worst defeat that we have suffered, worse than the other finals. Right now we think that the best thing to do is leave it to other players."
Brazil's Globoesporte splashed the headline "The beginning of the end". Alluding to a reported rift between Messi and the Argentina football association (AFA) - and the possibility of other players announcing their retirement - the portal added: "Messi has said goodbye to the AFA and now the stampede begins".
