Lionel Messi has retired from international football. After missing a shootout penalty against Chile. Sending the ball way over the bar, Messi saw his Argentina side lose yet another international final.
That’s four final losses for Messi with Argentina, but it’s Javier Mascherano who holds the record with five. It’s a cruel blow but not even Messi is automatically entitled to such success, and the losses have clearly hurt the Barcelona star, who was in tears as Chile celebrated their win.
The next World Cup in Russia is just 2 years away, but as it stands Messi has made it clear he doesn’t want to be a part of it. There have of course been suggestions he said things through emotion and could change his mind, even though the frustrated footballer said there would be no going back.
Argentina goalkeeper and Manchester United back-up Sergio Romero thinks his friend is simply saying things in the heat of the moment. Tyc Sports quote Romero as saying: “I think he said it whilst hot. It’s normal to be sad because a nice opportunity is lost but I do not think or imagine a selection without Messi.
“We will try to do the best, lift his head… It’s a blow to all of us to leave empty-handed again.”
Losing finals appears to now be a mental block for Argentina, but it must be remembered they’re doing a pretty good job to keep getting to the end of tournaments.
