Penalties are Lionel Messi’s Kryptonite.
The 29-year-old has missed more penalties (8) than any other player in Barcelona’s history, and now his profligacy from 12 yards appears to be the final straw for his international career.
Messi missed from the spot in the penalty shoot-out between Argentina and Chile in the final of the Copa America in New Jersey on Sunday night, with the game finishing goalless after 120 minutes. Current competition holders Chile eventually went on to win the shoot-out 4-2.
The last kick of a ball for his country. Messi quits national team. https://t.co/6Ofa3oZshU
— Sporting Index (@sportingindex) June 27, 2016
The defeat in the final of the world’s oldest continental football competition was a repeat result of last year’s edition, and it means Argentina’s wait for a international title goes on.
The South American powerhouses haven’t won a senior title since 1993.
The defeat also means Argentina have lost three finals in the last three summers, and their captain appears to have had enough.
“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, it’s not meant for me. I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over.”
Messi was also part of the Argentina team that lost to Brazil in the 2007 Copa America final.
Messi hangs up his international boots as Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer, having scored 55 times for his country in 112 appearances for La Albiceleste.
Messi was soon followed by fellow Argentina stars Sergio Aguero and Javier Mascherano in retiring from the national team. With many more players rumoured to be quitting, this could be a changing of the guard moment in Argentinian football.
