Spanish press express sympathy for Messi after Copa defeat

Messi announced that Argentina’s Copa America Centenario final penalty shoot-out defeat to Chile on Sunday would be his last appearance for his country. First of all for me, and then for everyone.

Messi had shown signs of growing increasingly tired of the criticism following Argentina’s defeat in the 2015 Copa America final, irritated by the suggestion that he was anything other than committed to the national cause. He could still have made Argentina a serious contender at the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation – and can if he changes his mind, as he should.

“It’s not meant for me”, Messi said. After Messi came back on the field, Aguero put a hand on one of Messi’s shoulders.

Sometimes people have questioned my Argentine-ness, especially when the national team hasn’t done well, but I love my country deeply and would like to move back someday.

The headquarters of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) was evacuated on Monday after receiving a bomb threat hours after Argentina’s Copa America final defeat.

“The likelihood is that Messi is not the only one that will leave the national team”, Aguero told the Argentine newspaper. “It pains me more than anyone not being able to be a champion with Argentina, but that’s the way it is”.

The 25-year-old has emerged as the talisman for Didier Deschamps’ side but he insists he is not feeling the kind of pressure that Messi experienced with Argentina. Chile, ranked fifth in the world, held their nerves and outclassed top-ranked Argentina for the second year running to retain the title. In the locker room, I thought the national team is not for me.

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. Ronaldo does not have the same class of players at his disposal at Portugal but he still finds a way out each time when it is required.

Even if Messi does go through with his retirement from Argentina’s national team, he will presumably continue to play for his club team Barcelona. But many fans at home have criticized him for not leading the nation to a World Cup title, as Diego Maradona did in 1986. Argentina’s 2-1 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina was lit up by another Messi moment: consisting of a one-two with Gonzalo Higuain and a brilliant trademark run dribbling through defenders ending in a low shot in off the post. Year in, year out, Messi has been more consistent at the highest level than Maradona was.

The 31-year-old is now leading his team in the European Championships, a competition which is next only to the FIFA World Cup.

Chile responded with four straight goals.

But he just can’t seem to win on the worldwide level.

Lucas Biglia also missed from 12 yards, with Chilean substitute Francisco Silva scoring the decisive penalty in East Rutherford, New Jersey.