Topics: Copa America Centenario, USA, Argentina, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Paulo Dybala
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football moments after Argentina's defeat to Chile in the finals of the Copa America Centenario.

On Monday June 27, the world woke up to the shocking news that one of the most decorated footballers in the history of the sport had decided to hang up his boots at the international level. Lionel Messi made the announcement after failing to win the Copa America title with Argentina for two consecutive years despite making it to the finals on those two occasions. 

The football god reacts after missing a penalty during the Argentina vs Chile Copa America Centenario finalMessi reacts to missed penalty

As Argentina prepare for life after their legendary player, who could replace him? Did he make the right decision retiring from international football barely hours after his 29th birthday?

Wisdom or Cowardice?

For a player who has braved countless storms in his footballing career both with Argentina and Barcelona, his abrupt decision to retire was quite shocking. To put matters into perspective, his greatest rival Cristiano Ronaldo has been broken countless times with the national team most notably at the Euro 2004 when Portugal lost to lowly-ranked Greece in the finals in Lisbon. The inconsolable Ronaldo finally managed to dust himself up and rise again. Fast forward 12 years later, he is the captain of his country at the ongoing Euro 2016. 

Earlier this month, Argentina legend Diego Maradona was quoted claiming that Leo is a great player but lacks leadership skills. Did Messi’s decision to quit justify Maradona’s comments? 

Did age play a part in Messi’s decision?

Age here is not a justifiable factor given that Ronaldo is now 31 while Messi celebrated his 29th year birthday three days ago. He is still in good shape to participate in the upcoming World Cup in Russia at the age of 31 and probably the next Copa America at 33 years of age, one less than Zlatan when he announced his retirement from international football after Sweden were knocked out of Euro 2016. Many fans of La Pulga will be hoping that their icon would reconsider his decision as quitting may not have been the best solution despite failing to win a major title for Argentina since 2005.

What Messi’s retirement means for the future of Argentina and world football

By hanging up his boots, Leo now paves way for the rise of younger Argentine players such as Paulo Dybala (below), who is only 22 years old. Dybala joined Juventus in 2015 and scored 19 league goals in 34 appearances, and won the Serie A, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana on his debut season with the Old Lady. Dybala celebrates one of his goals for ArgentinaHe was impressive for La Albiceleste on his debut on October 13, 2015 when he came on as a substitute to replace Carlos Tevez during their 2018 World Cup Qualifier match against Paraguay. The speedy forward has since made three appearances for his country but is yet to score a goal.

Now that the likes of Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero tipped to follow Leo out of the squad, Dybala and Co. may come in as young and promising talents that could steer the Argentines back to greatness. It could, however, take years for the world's best national football team (as per the latest FIFA rankings) to rise back to their feet, but thanks to the availability of a wide range of talents, there is hope for a brighter future.