Football star Lionel Messi announced his decision to retire from international matches after Argentina defeated by Chile in the Copa América finals. Messi’s anguish was clear to see after he missed a penalty as his shot went flying over the bar. “For me the national team is over,” he told reporters. “I’ve done all I can, I’ve been in four finals and it hurts not to be a champion. It’s a hard moment for me and the team, and it’s difficult to say, but it’s over with the Argentina team.”
Although Messi will continue to play club football for Barcelona, his exit from international football or “Mexit” as some have dubbed it – is a concept many are struggling to get their heads around. Reacting to the new reality, the Argentinean coach Gerardo Martino said: “If you start thinking over the future today, especially at a time like this, it’s tough. It’s overbearing.”
Messi at the age of 29, has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with Spanish side Barcelona. His only major international honors is Olympic gold at the 2008 Games. As well as losing two Copa America finals on penalties to Chile, Messi was in the Argentina side beaten 1-0 by Germany in the 2014 World Cup Final. The forward, who was been awarded the Ballon d’Or five times was also on the losing side against Brazil in the 2007 Copa America final.
Messi saying that he is quitting the Argentinian national team. pic.twitter.com/WxOmIGi9W7
— Ivana (@GloriousMadrid) June 27, 2016
Messi fans have also filled the internet with messages of love and support for the star. Many hashtags have been used in both Spanish and English, including, #StayMessi #DontGoLio #MessiRetires and #ComeBackMessi. The hashtag #NoTeVayasMessi (don’t go Messi) has been used more than 20,000 times. This tweet from a fan in Argentina reads: “You can lose a thousand more finals and I’ll still be on your side. Without you we are nothing, please stay.”
