Lionel Messi has surprised the world via saying that he is to give up International football following Argentina's penalty shootout loss to Chile in the Copa the united states final.
The 29 yrs old neglected his spot-kick in the shootout as Argentina misplaced their 0.33 foremost final in three years, following last year's Copa the united states final and the 2014 World Cup final.
"it is difficult, it's not the time for evaluation," Messi stated. "within the dressing room I suggestion this is the end for me with the national team,
"that's the best way I believe proper now, it's a big unhappiness once once more and that i overlooked the penalty that used to be so major.
"i tried so tough to be champion with Argentina. Nevertheless it didn't occur. I could not do it."
"There are four finals, now not for me, alas, it was what I desired. Greater than ever I wanted to win at the least this cup but (it) might now not be.
"it is very tough, however the decision is taken. Now i will not are trying more and there can be no going again.
"i tried regularly to get a title and failed."
Sergio Aguero, Messi's nice pal on the workforce, mentioned he had not ever seen the mood within the dressing room so low, while Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero is hopeful that Messi may rethink his resolution.
"I suppose Leo spoke within the warmness of the moment for the reason that we missed that excellent danger," mentioned Romero.
The Copa American final in New Jersey was once the Barcelona megastar's 112th appearance for his nation.
Messi scored 5 targets within the tournament, however blasted his penalty over the bar after the game completed 0-zero after one hundred twenty minutes.
He cut a dejected determine following the conclusion of the shootout, as as Argentina's trophy drought was once accelerated to 23 years.
Messi hangs up his international boots as Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer, having netted fifty five occasions for his country, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta final week.
He made his global debut towards Hungary in August 2005 when he came on alternatively, however used to be sent off lower than a minute later for elbowing an opponent who pulled his shirt.
Regardless of profitable everything there is to win in the club recreation with Barcelona, he has no longer won a primary international honour, count on for a gold medal on the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the underneath-20 World Cup.
Sunday night time's Copa the us ultimate loss was once the 0.33 time he was finished as a runner-up in the match, following losses in the 2007 and 2015 finals.
The forward also suffered defeat in the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil, when Argentina lost to Germany. Messi gained the Golden Ball award for the match's quality participant.