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Lionel Messi to quit international football
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Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after missing in a penalty shoot-out during the final of the Copa America soccer competition in East Rutherford, US, on Sunday. Chile won the game on penalties. (AP/Julio Cortez)
T
he captain of Argentina's national soccer team, Lionel Messi, has decided to bring an end to his international career after his team lost to Chile in the final of the Copa America on Sunday.
“It is difficult, the time is hard for any analysis. In the dressing room, I thought that this is the end for me with the national team. It's not for me anymore,” said Messi.
According to the Guardian, he also expressed his regret at missing a penalty during a crucial moment of the match. “I tried so hard to be a champion with Argentina. But it did not happen. I could not do it,” he added.
Held at the MetLife Stadium in the US, the final between Argentina and Chile was decided on penalties after ending scoreless. Chile, who won the last iteration in 2015 Copa America, triumphed 4-2 in the shoot-out.
(Read also: Chile wins 2nd straight Copa America title as Messi misses)
Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero commented that he hoped Messi’s decision comments were uttered in the heat of the moment only.
It was not the first time Argentina has fallen short in a decisive match; the team lost 1-0 to Germany at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and was beaten at last year's Copa America 4-1 by the team that has once against triumphed. (kes)
