Lionel Messi announced his retirement from national duties as Argentina were subjected to yet another final heart-break after penalty shoot-outs did them in once more against Chile.
The historic 100th edition of the Copa America was drawn to a ceremonial close with Chile once again taking home the honours over much fancied opponents Argentina at the end of a nervy penalty shoot-out that finished 4-2 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Alexis Sanchez won the Player of the Tournament accolade while Eduardo Vargas took home the golden boot.
A tearful Messi in the dugout summed up the emotions of the Argentinians, who once again faltered at the grand finale of a major tournament, despite boasting a galaxy of stars in their line-up. The pain of losing three finals with the Albiceleste probably got to the Barcelona star, as he announced his desire to discontinue with the national team in a post match interview. Social media went wild over the news of the five time Ballon D’Or winner’s retirement which sadly overshadowed Chile’s remarkable achievement on the night.
Did Leo Messi just announce his retirement from the Argentine National Soccer team? https://t.co/IvOoBNwmG9
— Joshua Hoyos (@JoshuaHoyos) June 27, 2016
If you’ve lost 4 finals in a row shouldn’t that inspire you to continue playing and trying even harder? Messi is 29, not 35. Makes no sense.
— Ollie (@IconicGerrard) June 27, 2016
Me when #Messi said he’s retiring from International Soccer pic.twitter.com/KGTzQexGMp
— Daniel_XO (@Daniel_Partida8) June 27, 2016
Hoping #Messi changes his mind about retiring #legend
— James Younghusband (@JYH7) June 27, 2016
Some reports suggesting Messi, Ageuro, Higuain, Mascherano & Lavezzi have all retired from playing for Argentina…this is ridiculous
— Ian Abrahams (Moose) (@BroadcastMoose) June 27, 2016
Messi (in 2012): “When I stop enjoying football, I’ll retire.”
Today he stopped enjoying it with Argentina pic.twitter.com/RGJZgKxmT9
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) June 27, 2016
After a 3rd final defeat in 3 years, Lionel Messi has retired from international football.https://t.co/G0QG8V3vyj pic.twitter.com/70UsDVO390
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 27, 2016
Juan Roman Riquelme in May 2016: “We have to take care of Messi, he’s Argentinian. There’s no one like him.”
June 2016: Messi retires.
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) June 27, 2016
Messi looks drained/devastated & AFA shambolic but hope he reconsiders international retirement. World Cup etc a poorer place without Messi.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 27, 2016
Young Messi: “My dream is to play for Argentina.”
Retires at 29 after taking Arg to 4 finals & unfairly criticizedpic.twitter.com/ryQr0Dvluh
— Messi World (@MessiWorId) June 27, 2016
Messi would have retired at the age of 24 out of sheer frustration had he been playing for Liverpool
— Omkar (@lnClyned) June 27, 2016
People blaming Messi for “quitting” aren’t even grasping the basics of the level of corruption at @AFA
— Juan G. Arango (@JuanG_Arango) June 27, 2016
Chile Lift Copa America For Second Time In A Row
Argentina’s final hoodoo continued to haunt them as the tournament favourites lost out to the defending champions Chile by virtue of a penalty shoot-out that ended with a scoreline of 2-4. The Albiceleste were cast as firm favourites once again, as they seamlessly cruised through the group stage and knock-out rounds, before taking to the stage against Chile in the final at MetLife stadium, in New Jersey.
At the end of an exhausting 120 goalless minutes where both the sides finished with 10 men, penalties were employed to separate the two sides. Bayern Munich’s Arturo Vidal and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi both missed their respective team’s first spot-kicks before Nicholas Castillo put Chile ahead. Javier Mascherano, Charles Aranguiz, Sergio Aguero and Beausejour all converted their spot kicks, before a nervous Lucas Biglia stepped up to the box with the score reading 3-2 in favour of Chile. Biglia had his penalty saved by Claudio Bravo, as Francesco Silva scored the decisive penalty to win the Copa America for the Chileans.
Decades of expectations culminating in 3 consecutive finals in which your team isn’t fit & doesn’t execute. That’s hard. #CopaAmerica
— Church of Soccer (@churchofsoccer) June 27, 2016
Alexis Sanchez wins best player of the tournament award #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/HSiC0kIBCi
— ArsenalArena (@ArsenalArena) June 27, 2016
Globoesporte compara a Messi con Baggio!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/P9XSm802B3
— oleJuan Pablo Méndez (@juanpablodeole) June 27, 2016
That explains it!!! #CopaAmerica #ARGvCHI pic.twitter.com/Nh1YWkBrgT
— Crying Jordan (@CryingJordan) June 27, 2016
Messi trying to win a trophy with Argentina: https://t.co/2ruhc6daJf
— 8 Troll Football (@8TrollFootball) June 27, 2016
messi david pic.twitter.com/Xk6xfOeGyJ
— Seinfeld Current Day (@Seinfeld2000) June 27, 2016
Map of Argentina updated! #CopaAmerica #ARGvCHI pic.twitter.com/52HXqkuueA
— Crying Jordan (@CryingJordan) June 27, 2016
Chile are after winning their 2nd Copa America in 2 yrs the world speaks about Messi’s decision. Shows how much of a superstar he is.
— Dave O’Connell (@DaveOCKOP) June 27, 2016
Santiago, Chile is the place to be tonight. ??? #CopaAmerica https://t.co/lApIpyzCNX
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 27, 2016
They goin’ back to back! Chile had so much fun winning #CopaAmerica on penalties last year, they had to do it again. pic.twitter.com/OAZZls0BAn
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 27, 2016
Congratulations to Chile @LaRoja for winning the #CopaAmerica. What a great tournament and final! ??? pic.twitter.com/o1AQ0lSzh7
— Raúl González Blanco (@RaulGonzalez) June 27, 2016
Mirroring last year, Chile once again edged Argentina on pens to win #CopaAmerica
Report: https://t.co/pIPyd7796K pic.twitter.com/YuWhau8MmS— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) June 27, 2016
Chile takes away the #CopaAmerica from Argentina for 2 years in a row now
( Gif Via: @pictoline )pic.twitter.com/2rIcbtSifP— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) June 27, 2016
Our Empire State Building shinning red, white and blue #Chile #Champion Copa America 2016 #USA #NYC @MauricioEspina pic.twitter.com/wgiiEwdkg0
— Vladimir Reyes (@LVladimirReyes) June 27, 2016
3 – #Chile are the 3rd team to win the #CopaAmerica in consecutive years:
2 Uruguay (1916-17, 1923-24), 1 Argentina (1945-46-47). Dynasty
— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) June 27, 2016