Messi retires from international football after Copa America final defeat

Barcelona star, Lionel Messi, has announced that he might never play for Argentina again, after they lost in the Copa Americal final to Chile.

The match ended goalless after 120 minutes and the Chileans retained the trophy edging out Argentina 4-2 on penalties.

“My thinking right now and thinking about it in the locker room, I’m done playing with the national team,” he told a group of reporters afterwards.

Asked if he was retiring, the 29-year old said, “I tried my hardest. It’s been four finals, and I was not able to win. I tried everything possible. It hurts me more than anyone, but it is evident that this is not for me. I want more than anyone to win a title with the national team, but unfortunately, it did not happen.”

Messi, who has won everything at club level, lost the 2014 World Cup final and three Copa America finals with Argentina.

When he was asked if he would wear his country’s shirt again, he replied: “I don’t think so. I’ve thought about it. Like I said earlier, I tried everything possible to win. And that’s it. It’s four finals lost.”