Messi’s retirement from Argentina could hurt his legacy

Holders Chile stunned Argentina to win the Copa America in a penalty shoot-out as Messi’s title curse struck again.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino, whose side failed to end their 23-year title drought in major worldwide competitions, was understandably downbeat but said his team must have the resilience to come back from disappointment.

ESPN’s Sarina Morales reports on the impact Lionel Messi’s announcement regarding his imminent retirement from the Argentina national team had on social media.

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. “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”.

“I think this is best for everyone”.

Of course, Messi was speaking in the aftermath of the emotional defeat and could change his mind.

Lionel Messi says he’s quitting Argentina’s national team.

Messages sent to Messi’s agents seeking further comments on Monday were not immediately answered. Argentina’s players meanwhile were left disconsolate as they digested a third defeat in a major final following losses to Germany in the 2014 World Cup and Chile in last year’s Copa. Messi, 29, made his debut with Argentina in 2005.

Hosts Argentina lost 5-4 on penalties in the quarter-finals to eventual champions Uruguay.

“On top of everything, I missed the penalty kick”, Messi told TyC.

With Barcelona, it has been nothing but success for Messi, who led the Spanish giants to four Champions League titles and three Club World Cup trophies.

He is Argentina’s career leading scorer with 55 goals in 113 global appearances. Argentina’s next competitive match is a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in September, and the top-ranked Albiceleste are considered among the early favourites to win the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation.