Lionel Messi quits Argentina national team
Lionel Messi broke down in tears Sunday night as Argentina suffered another tournament heartbreak to Chile at Metlife Stadium near New York.
Lionel Messi has shocked the footballing world by announcing that he's ready to quit the Argentinian national football team after their loss to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final. The 29-year-old has led his team to three successive losses on the international stage - the FIFA World Cup in 2014, the Copa America in 2015 and this year's Copa America Centenario. Lionel Messi is arguably one of the best footballers in the world right now and has contributed heavily to Argentina's rise to the final of three major tournaments.
The Barcelona forward scored five goals in this Copa America tournament – one behind the leader Eduardo Vargas – despite not starting the first two games. Tata Martino had earlier suggested that Messi should consider quitting – before the final – but he'll be surprised at this announcement. Messi was widely expected to win Argentina their first title since 1993 but Chile took them to penalties once again and beat them once again. These are the quotes by Argentina FA's official Twitter account when Messi, Sergio Romero and Sergio Aguero: The lasting moment of the Copa America Centenario may be Messi missing in the penalty kick shootouts and then breaking down in tears. But now that may also be the last image of the 29-year-old superstar in an Argentina uniform.
Following the loss, Messi, in the heat of the moment, shockingly announced that he is quitting the national team.
"It is difficult, the time is hard for any analysis. In the dressing room I thought the national team was over for me, it is not for me," Messi said, per Argentina's social media account.
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