Barely a day after Argentina legendary footballer Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football following his country’s defeat to Chile in the finals of the Copa America Centenario, Argentina fans are keen on convincing him to reconsider his decision. A dejected Messi told journalists after the match that he was done playing international football for his country and added that maybe, he was not mean to win titles with La Albiceleste.
Messi celebrated his 29th birthday last Friday.
Some fans believe that the 29-year-old made the decision out of anger and sadness after failing to win the Copa America title despite featuring in two consecutive finals in 2015 and 2016 against the same opponent, Chile. However, a section of fans had criticized the Barcelona star for hanging up his boots during times of title-drought for his country rather than inspiring his teammates to try even harder by virtue of being the team captain. An online campaign dubbed #NoTeVayasLio, meaning #DontGoLeo was launched to try to convince the superstar to change his mind.
please please please dont retire(messi, dimaria) @Mascherano @aguerosergiokun @G_Higuain @PochoLavezzi
— nags (@habibizaayn) June 27, 2016
Lionel Messi Dont Retire :(
— Mrs BIEBER♡ (@WithCoolBieber) June 27, 2016
Football is nothing without you
I really dont want Lionel Messi to retire.
— Taylor (@tliff311) June 27, 2016
plz dont retire #Messi please dont :(
— Deepayan Ghosh (@deepu_messi) June 27, 2016
anyways i dont hate messi and i actually feel bad, too early for him to retire
— G (@vamosmodric) June 27, 2016
Messi, you are the greatest player ever, you are my idol, dont let this failure stop you. Please dont retire, one more World Cup! #Messi
— Mohammad Walid (@m26qayum) June 27, 2016
NO MESSI DONT RETIRE PLEASE
— Sus (@SJayRay23) June 27, 2016
Meanwhile, a video doing rounds on social media shows Leo walking towards Argentina’s team bus as fans try to persuade him to change his mind. Watch it below: