While many call it a shocking news, many take it a perfect opportunity for Lionel Messi to retire from international soccer after his failure to score in a penalty shootout playing for his national side in Copa America final against Chile. It was precisely fourth major final loss for La Albiceleste in nine years and second to Chile, in fact, ever since Messi has been a part of Argentine national squad, they could only win one Olympic gold at the 2008 Games and experts are calling it a big failure for the high profile player to copy his club performances playing for the national side. Likewise, many are taking it as a proof why most of the starlets avoid playing international games citing the money involved in club soccer and as far Messi is concerned, unlike his international feats, he has been among the most successful playing for his club Barcelona where he won as many as won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues in his glorious club career.
Anyways, after he announced his international retirement, almost everyone asked why or why so early including former legendary Argentine star Diego Maradona who urged the Barcelona forward not to leave the game as early. What Messi said after announcing his international break after playing 113 games for Argentina in last eleven years is, “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. 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.”
Immediately after Messi’s call for international retirement, Maradona asked five-time Ballon d’Or winner to rethink over his decision and represent his national side in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, he said, “Messi has to stay in the national team. He will go to Russia in form to be world champion. He has to rely more on boys who can help take the team forward and less on those who say they have to go. Those who are saying he should quit are doing it so that we won’t see what a disaster Argentine football has become.”
Lionel Messi: CP DC Press / Shutterstock.com