Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts during the Copa America Centenario final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States, on June 26, 2016. AFPChile upset Argentina on penalties in the final to emerge victorious in the centenary edition of the Copa America. But even more shocking for football fans across the globe was the decision of Argentine captain Lionel Messi, shortly afterwards, to call it quits from international football.
The Barcelona superstar has often been accused of not being able to produce his best with La Albiceleste and the 29-year-old was determined to set the record straight this time around. Messi and his team dished out scintillating football en route to the final. But as luck would have it, Messi failed to get going in a final for the third successive year in national jersey. The fact that he missed a penalty in the shootout rubbed salt into the five-time FIFA World Player of the Year's wounds and he decided enough was enough.
Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina reacts after missing a penalty kick against Chile during the Copa America Centenario Championship match at MetLife Stadium on June 26, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. AFPIt can be considered a purely emotional decision at the end of a heartbreaking loss for the great man and his legion of fans. It just goes to show much pressure the world's best go through and how tough it is to survive at the top level. The accusations have been many: Messi fails to deliver at the crunch for Argentina, lacks charisma as captain and, above all, he doesn't really care about winning in national colours.
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One good thing about Messi's decision to retire is that the level of criticism, which otherwise he would have been subjected to after Sunday's loss, has suddenly come down. It could well be a blessing in disguise and one can safely say that Leo will be back in the blue and white stripes of Argentina in less than two years' time when the FIFA World Cup gets under way in Russia. At 29, Messi's best is yet to come and the very fact that he has failed to win a major silverware for Argentina should spur the champion on.
