Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football in a brief interview with Argentinean TV station TyC Sports.
Shortly after the Copa América Centenario concluded, the Argentine ace decided he won't be playing anymore with La Albiceleste. Sunday's loss against Chile was apparently the final chapter in Messi's history with the South American squad.
Here are Messi's words shortly after leaving Argentina's locker room.
"I've thought about it in the locker room, and that's it, I'm done with the National Team. As I said earlier, it's been four finals, it's simply not for me. Unfortunately I tried really hard, it was something I wanted badly, but I just simply couldn't do it."
Did Leo Messi just announce his retirement from the Argentine National Soccer team? https://t.co/IvOoBNwmG9
— Joshua Hoyos (@JoshuaHoyos) June 27, 2016
Messi's words came shortly after Argentina lost a third consecutive final in a major tournament. "La Pulga" took most of the blame since he failed to score the first penalty kick in the shootout against La Roja.
Messi close, but yet to win a final with #ARG#CopaAmérica 2016#CopaAmérica 2015#WorldCup 2014#CopaAmérica 2007 https://t.co/IG6GXWz5WP
— M.A.J (@UItraSuristic) June 27, 2016
Of course, fans were shocked by Messi's words. Here are some of their thoughts about his decision.
hate all this bad talk on messi, he puts his heart & soul into the game, he doesn't deserve this.
— BR∆ND0N (@Bsolorio3) June 27, 2016
Nooooooooo Messi is you can't do this!!!
— RAINA's PRIYANKA(@Smiling_Girly_) June 27, 2016
Reports are saying that these players have retired from Argentina:
— Juan Direction (@JuanDirection57) June 27, 2016
Messi
Di Maria
Mascherano
Lavezzi
Higuain
Biglia
Aguero
I really hope Messi is just saying this in the moment and he thinks about it later and decides not to retire from international play
— #God_knows (@chaabel) June 27, 2016
Messi has years left to help his national team but instead he's throwing his toys because he didn't win. Give me a break.
— Rachel (@rachwilliamson) June 27, 2016
I love Messi and I'm gonna stand by his side no matter what.
— D10S. (@fcbamalie) June 27, 2016
My heart bleeds for Messi
— Carol Tshabalala (@SimplyCarol8) June 27, 2016
I hope Messi re considers, it seems a tad cowardly. Must be hurting but he still has more than enough time to win an international trophy!
— Seb Carmichael-Brown (@sebcbrown4) June 27, 2016
Messi still best ever. Hope he's not done.
— aj knowles (@aj_knowles) June 27, 2016
I really hope Messi reconsiders his decision to retire from the international team
— Ron (@ronnyymcd) June 27, 2016
Can't blame messi from retiring from NT, four consecutive finals and not a single won,mans had enough.Gonna be sad but I'll always love him
— Salas (@ElSenorGio) June 27, 2016
One things for sure, idk if we will ever see a player so gifted at a sport when Messi is gone. God given, and inhuman. Legendary
— Soccer Players (@4soccerplayers) June 27, 2016
My heart is out the window because of messi
— lol (@itsyolaundri) June 27, 2016
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