Lionel Messi Retires From International Football

Paully D

Deserves it's own thread IMO. If mods disagree feel free to move/delete.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36637591

Lionel Messi has retired from international duty after missing in a penalty shootout as Argentina lost a fourth major final in nine years.

"For me, the national team is over," he said after defeat by Chile in the Copa America final. "I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion."

Messi, 29, has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with Spanish side Barcelona.

But his only major international honour is Olympic gold at the 2008 Games.

As well as losing two Copa America finals on penalties to Chile, Messi was in the Argentina side beaten 1-0 by Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.

The forward, who was been awarded the Ballon d'Or five times, was also on the losing side against Brazil in the 2007 Copa America final.

"It's been four finals, I tried," added Messi, who made his debut for Argentina in 2005 and has played 113 times for his country.

"It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's over.

"I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, then for everyone.

"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.

"It's very hard, but the decision is taken. Now I will not try more and there will be no going back."

Messi had scored five times at this year's Copa America, including a superb free-kick in the semi-final win over hosts the USA.

That goal made him his country's record scorer with 55 goals, eclipsing the 54-goal mark of striker Gabriel Batistuta.

I don't think he comes off well here either way.

If he really has retired and it's not just a heat of the moment thing, his comments that he has "tried" and "done all he can" aren't really fitting of a player of his stature. If it's a snap decision and something he will take back, he looks like a spoilt kid who has spat his dummy out and it's especially not a good look as a captain and supposed leader.

One of the best ever of course, but when all is said and done, a lack of getting over the line at international level will be something that will surely eat away at him.

syngindub

I reckon we'll see him in Russia..

GreNoLi

Knee jerk, he'll be back.

Canadel

RIP

MD1990

Sends a terrible message to kids who adore him too. Basically saying I haven't achieved what I want to in the last 3 tournaments so I give up as my team mates are not good enough. I understand there is some problems with the Argentine FA but still its poor from Messi.

Toobz

Smarter than Ronaldo, threw his toys out of the pram behind closed doors.

Giggsy11

Such a shame. I'm hoping he will be back in few months.

511

Quitter.

LiamoSail

This business or retiring from international football is bollox really. If he lost a few finals with Barca would he just retire? Unlikely, so what makes Argintina any different

CSF

I can't help but feel this thread would have a lot more posts in it if it was Ronaldo.

KingBrian2

For a second I thought this post was his retirement from all football now that would be a shame.

Dempsey

He'll have to deal with more Catalan jibes now.

It feels like a knee jerk reaction but if his heart isnt in it anymore, the team will be better off without him

Kobe248

Toobz wrote: »

Smarter than Ronaldo, threw his toys out of the pram behind closed doors.

Hardly Ronaldo wont throw a strop and retire if Portugal dont win

Messi had the best team in the Copas and failed, hes far worse