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Messi must shoulder some
of the blame for latest disappointment after missing the chance to give his
side advantage in shoot-out
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Lionel
Messi has retired from international football after missing a penalty as
Argentina lost a shoot-out to Chile in the Copa America final.
Press Association report
continues:
The Barcelona forward has
decided to quit without winning a major trophy with his country.
Following the defeat at
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Messi admitted after failing to
win in four finals for Argentina he had decided not to carry on.
The 29-year-old told
Argentinian TV network TyC Sports: "I think it's best for everyone, for me
and for many people who want it. The choice for me is over, it is a decision. I
tried many times (to be champion) but did not."
Messi had become
Argentina's all-time top scorer with 55 goals earlier in the tournament but
final heartache was followed by his post-match announcement.
Having lost Copa America
finals in 2007, 2015 and 2016 and the World Cup final in 2014 Messi has turned
his back on the international game.
He added: "There are
four finals, not for me, unfortunately, it was what I wanted. More than ever I
wanted to win at least this cup but (it) could not be.
"It's very hard, but
the decision is taken. Now I will not try more and there will be no going back.
"I tried many times
to get a title and failed."
Argentina lost 4-2 on
penalties as Chile retained the title following a game which had ended 0-0
after extra time.
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Chile goalkeeper Claudio
Bravo lifts the trophy after winning the Copa America Centenario final in New
Jersey
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In a repeat of last
year's final when Chile also won on spot-kicks, both teams finished with 10 men
in a bad-tempered clash as Argentina's Marcos Rojo and Chile's Marcelo Diaz saw
red in the first half.
Messi and Lucas Biglia
missed penalties for Argentina in the shoot-out to hand Chile their second Copa
America title in a special tournament which was played to celebrate the
competition's centenary.
Messi blasted high and
wide and Claudio Bravo saved Biglia's kick leaving Francisco Silva to fire home
the winning penalty and give Chile a second straight title.
Away from international
football Messi has had a glittering career with Barcelona, who he joined at the
age of 13 from Newell's Old Boys.
He has won the Champions
League four times, Spain's Primera Division on eight occasions and four Copa
del Rey crowns.
Messi has also been
awarded the FIFA Ballon d'Or as the world's best player five times.
Manchester City striker
Sergio Aguero, who scored in the shoot-out, hinted he and some of his
team-mates would also consider their international futures.
Speaking to Ole, a
national daily sports newspaper in Argentina, Aguero said: "Messi is
probably not the only one that will leave the national team. There are several
players like me that are evaluating whether or not to continue."
The 28-year-old also
admitted Messi was distraught after the penalty miss, adding: "That is the
worst I've seen him in the changing room.
"We are all affected and we will try to think about something else and move forward. Again, luck was not on our side."
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