Lionel Messi shockingly announced his retirement from international duty after missing his spot kick in Argentina’s Copa América Centenario final loss to Chile.
The match had been forced to go to the penalty shoot-outs after a barren draw in 120 minutes of play.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner stepped up to take Argentina’s first penalty after Arturo Vidal had missed Chile’s first, but could not give his side the advantage, blasting his effort over the bar.
Messi’s record is impressive at club level but his record at country is far from that. While he has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies with Barcelona, he is yet to win any major trophy with Argentina, only once winning the Olympic Gold in 2008.
After Chile’s win, the 29-year-old was seen shedding tears, before shortly later revealing his intentions to end his international duty.
“It’s not meant for me. For me the national team is over. I’ve done all I can, it hurts not to be a champion,” Messi said.
“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,” he said.
Argentina’s loss was the second consecutive Copa America final loss to Chile in two years, both ending in penalty shoot-outs.
