Messi announces retirement from internationals after Copa loss

Argentinean professional soccer player Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international games after missing a penalty kick and losing against Chile in the Copa America Centenario final.

On Sunday night, five-time FIFA Player of the Year and winner of four UEFA Champions League titles and the receiver of eight Spanish La Liga crowns sensationally announced his retirement from international soccer following La Roja’s 4-2 victory on penalty kicks over the top-ranked Albiceleste.

“It’s a hard moment for me and the team, and it’s difficult to say, but it’s over with the Argentina team,” crestfallen Messi told TyC Sports television network.

“I’ve done all I can, I’ve been in four finals and it hurts not to be a champion,” the 29-year-old added.

A crowd of some 82,000 people had filled the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the United States, on an ill-tempered evening, and a large number of the spectators were clad in Messi’s No. 10 jerseys in Argentina’s blue and white along with Barcelona’s navy and maroon.

The game was scoreless throughout regulation and 30 minutes of the extra time, with Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuain squandering a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Argentinean goalkeeper Sergio Romero also saved a kick by Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal.

Messi, however, simply missed the target and sent his round into the stands, stunning himself, players from both teams as well as the spectators.

Nicolas Castillo and Charles Aranguiz converted their kicks for Chile, and Argentine footballers Javier Mascherano and Sergio Aguero netted theirs, leveling the score at 2-2 after three shots.

Jean Beausejour then tacked the ball and put Chile ahead. Chile’s goalkeeper Claudio Andrés Bravo Muñoz, who plays for Spanish club FC Barcelona, made a diving stop on Lucas Biglia’s attempt after that.

Francisco Silva scored the shootout finale for the Chile national soccer team, and La Roja won the Copa America for the second successive year.

Messi grabbed his shirt, clenched his teeth and covered his face with both hands, as if he did not want to see the final result.

He took off his captain’s armband, and walked off the field to the bench a few minutes later with a dazed look on his bearded face.

Messi was consoled by teammate Sergio Leonel Kun Agüero and FIFA’s new President Gianni Infantino, when he ascended onto the podium with his teammates to receive the second-place medal.

“Messi’s numbers are unparalleled and I think they’ll remain that way forever, because it’s impossible for a football player to do what Messi has done,” Chile’s coach Juan Antonio Pizzi, who is from Argentina, said after the match.

He added, “My generation can’t compare him to Maradona — that’s for my generation, because of what Maradona did for Argentine soccer. But I think the best player ever played today here in the United States.”

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