Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Lionel Messi Quits Argentina National Team

Lionel Messi retires, Lionel Messi quits, Mexit

Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina still disappointed with their loss to Chile during the Copa America Centenario Championship match at MetLife Stadium on June 26, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey decided to quit the national team. He said that he's unlikely to play for Argentina again after their Copa America final defeat to Chile.

It was a 120 minutes of physical game that ended scoreless for both team but when it comes to the shootout Chile once again took the win 4-2 just as they had last year in the regular edition of this tournament. It seems the Chile are really good in penalties while Argentina needs to work on it.

It is now three consecutive summers in which Messi and Argentina had lost the final of a major tournament in extra time. In 2014, it was the World Cup final, which was decided by Germany's 113th-minute goal. Last year, the outcome was the same as this year, falling to Chile in the Copa America final on penalties.

During a shootout, Messi badly missed his penalty try after goalkeeper Sergio Romero made a save on Arturo Vidal the very first shot of the shootout, Messi stepped up to take his country’s first shot. He struck the ball with his left foot, and sailed it well over the crossbar. Lucas Biglia would miss the Argentines' fourth attempt as well, and the Chileans, having missed no other shots, won 4-2 to become the champions yet again.

"For me, the national team is over," he said after defeat by Chile in the Copa America final. "I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion."

Messi, 29, has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with Spanish side Barcelona.

But his only major international honor is Olympic gold at the 2008 Games.




Monday, June 20, 2016

Copa America semifinals: USA vs. Argentina

Copa America, USA, Argentina, Lionel Messi

It seems to be an impossible feat for the United States to beat Argentina. The United States will be up agaist Argentina in Tuesday’s Copa América semifinal in Houston after the Argentines beat Venezuela 4-1 on Saturday in Foxborough, Mass., behind two goals from Gonzalo Higuaín, one from Lionel Messi (which tied Argentina's all-time record) and one from Erik Lamela. Venezuela had a chance to get back in their quarterfinal just before halftime, but a failed Panenka attempt on a penalty kick thwarted the Vinotino's momentum, and Argentina rolled to the result.

USA will not only be dealing with limiting Lionel Messi they are also dealing with  three suspensions (to Jermaine Jones, Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya). Defendig against Messi will be their top priority, it will have to be a collective defensive effort by the team.

Kyle Beckerman has to come up huge they can’t be chasing shadows against the best player in the world, one who’s in terrific form during this Copa América.

As for Argentina, the weak link is going to be the pairing of Nicolás Otamendi and Ramiro Funes Mori, they were mediocre in the Premier League this past season with Manchester City and Everton
    
Still Argentina will be the favorite to win this game but the US still has a chance no matter how slim it is.

 
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Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Fans are Disappointed at Lionel Messi Sitting out Copa América Game

Copa América, Argentina, Lionel Messi, Soccer


Lionel Messi fans were disappointed Monday night at Levi’s Stadium when their favorite soccer star who is argubly best soccer player in the world didn't play in the Argentina Copa América match against Chile.

Messi is sufferring from a sore back he got from a hard blow in a game last May 27. Well, Argentina didn't need Messi to beat Chile, they won, 2-1, scoring two 2nd half goals in quick succession before Chile notched one in stoppage time.

However, it seems fans who attended the game don't care about the match they just want to see Messi play. Most of them bought tickets because of Messi.

The cheapest tickets at the Copa América is at $50 and the parking around Levi’s Stadium on Monday was running as high as $50.