Argentina’s captain and all-time leading goalscorer Messi retires from international football after losing Copa America to Chile on penalties yet again.
(Image credit: The Guardian)
Heading into yesterday’s Copa America final, Argentina were the ultimate favourites to lift the crown, however defending champions Chile managed to hold on to the highly coveted trophy after clinching it last year for the first time in their history. Online sportsbook gave Argentina odds of 1.75 (3/4), while a draw stood at 3.70 (27/10), and a win for the Chileans looked highly unlikely 5.50 (9/2).
(For more info about the online sportsbook, check out Betting Herald’s Bet365 Sports Review.)
After 90 minutes on the clock and the scoreline reading 0-0, the final went to extra time which also failed to provide the 82,000 spectators at the MetLife Stadium with any goal thrills. As the game went on to penalties, Bayern Munich’s Arturo Vidal took the first shot which was easily saved by Argentina’s goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Messi then took the chance to open the scoring for La Albiceleste, however to everyone’s amazement he shot the ball way over the crossbar and into the stands.
Chile’s Nicolas Castillo, Charles Aranguiz and Jean Beausejour then converted the following three penalties, while Javier Mascherano and Sergio Aguero were on target for Argentina, but their goals were cancelled out when Lucas Biglia’s shot was successfully saved by Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo. Francisco Silva then converted the final penalty shot that saw Chile crowned Copa America champions for the second time in a row, and once again achieve victory on penalties over Argentina following last year’s Copa.
Messi retires from La Albiceleste after suffering his fourth loss in the finals
Lionel Messi no puede contener el llanto. Cosas del fútbol. El título se le niega al "10" pic.twitter.com/N5CuVvMOoX
— TDN (@tdn_twit) June 27, 2016
“It’s tough, it’s not the time for analysis. 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,” said the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“I tried so hard to be (a) champion with Argentina. But it didn’t happen. I couldn’t do it. I think it’s best for everyone, for me and for many people who want it,” said Messi. “The choice for me is over, it is a decision. I tried many times (to be a champion) but did not.”
With Messi in their squad, Argentina reached the final of the Copa America in 2007 when it was held in Venezuela, however La Albiceleste lost 3-0 to fierce rivals Brazil. This was then followed by a 1-0 final loss to Germany in extra time of the World Cup in Brazil two years ago, while last year they succumbed to defeat on penalties against Chile in the Copa. And last night’s loss to the same country marks the fourth time Messi has failed to lift the trophy in the final with Argentina.
Argentina boss Gerardo “Tata” Martino commented on Messi’s lack of success with the national side, “The burden of consecutive games (lost) has been accumulating these last two years. He feels like you would expect a player to feel after playing and losing a final.”
Juan Antonio Pizzi, Argentina native that works as a coach for the Chile national side, praised his fellow countryman by stressing no other player can match his achievements and records, expect for the legendary Maradona. “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. My generation can’t compare him to (Diego) Maradona that’s for my generation, because of what Maradona did for Argentine soccer. But I think the best player ever today here in the United States.”
Messi retires from international football right after breaking all-time goalscoring record
Messi retires after 11 years of service for the national side, however he may yet return…
Some within the team believe that Messi’s words about quitting the national team are an immediate reaction to the devastating loss, and should not perhaps be taken seriously at this moment. “I think Leo spoke in the heat of the moment because we missed that great chance,” said Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Considering that he’s only 29 years of age, the diminutive Argentinian still has a lot more years left in his legs at the pinnacle of football. Should he reverse his decision, he would be tasked with leading Argentina to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which could be his last chance to lift a trophy with the national side. By that time he would be 31, however we’re pretty sure he would still be the central force within the Argentina squad.
Before Argentina faced defending champions Chile in the final, they played USA in the semi-finals which ended with a massive 4-0 result that saw Messi provide two assist and score one goal himself with a sublime free-kick shot. This goal made Barcelona’s No. 10 the all-time leading goalscorer for his country (55), as he surpassed Gabriel Batistuta’s previous record of 54 goals for La Albiceleste.
Messi has made a total of 113 appearances for La Albiceleste, which ranks him fourth on the all-time most capped players list, only 2 behind iconic midfielder Roberto Ayala. His Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano has been capped 129 times, while Inter legend Javier Zanetti made 143 appearances during his 17 years with the national side, making him the most capped player ever.