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.
