Devastated Lionel Messi says he has retired from internationals after Copa America heartbreak
The 29-year-old says is walking away from the national team after Argentina were beaten 4-2 by Chile on penalties in the final
Lionel Messi has said that he is to retire from international soccer after Argentina were beaten 4-2 by Chile in a penalty shoot-out in the Copa America final on Sunday, the fourth final the Barcelona striker has lost with the national side.
Messi, a five times World Player of the Year, missed Argentina’s opening penalty in the shoot-out after the game ended 0-0 and he was shown in tears while sitting in the team dugout.
“It’s tough, it’s not the time for analysis,” he said. “In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it’s not for me.
“That’s the way I feel right now, it’s a huge sadness once again and I missed the penalty that was so important.
“I tried so hard to be champion with Argentina. But it didn’t happen. I couldn’t do it.”
