Argentina Striker Lionel Messi Quits International Football

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, Sports News Monday, June 27th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Argentine goal wizard, Lionel Messi has retired from international Football.
“Merciless Messi” announcement came after he lost a penalty shootout in a fourth final by Argentina, within nine years.

On the development, Messi declared after suffering a defeat from Chile in the Coppa America final: “For me, the national team is over; I’ve done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion.”

“I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, then for everyone.

“I think there’s a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it.

“It’s very hard, but the decision is taken. Now I will not try more and there will be no going back, 29 years-old Messi stressed.

Messi who made his debut in the Argentina National team in 2005 reiterated: “It’s been four finals, I tried; It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over”.

The striker who has played 113 times for his country has been awarded the Ballon d’Or five times; won eight La Liga titles as well as four Champions Leagues with Spanish side Barcelona, scored five times at this year’s Copa America, including a distinct free-kick in the semi-final win over hosts the USA.

That goal made him the Argentine record-braking scorer with 55 goals, surpassing the 54-goal mark of another superb striker Gabriel Batistuta.

Reacting, Argentina and Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero stated that he hoped Messi would have a rethink on his decision. Romero who suggested that Messi was emotional when he indicated: “I think he spoke while he was heated, because a beautiful opportunity escaped us”.