The Argentina and Barcelona forward missed the goal in a penalty shoot-out as Chile won the final of the Copa America.
ADVERTISEMENTLionel Messi has announced he is to retire from international football.
The Argentina and Barcelona forward, five times World Player of the Year, missed Argentina’s opening penalty in the Copa America shoot-out.
Lionel Messi says he is quitting Argentina team after Copa América final defeat https://t.co/6RU3vNroZY via
guardian_sport</a></p>— The Guardian (guardian) June 27, 2016
Lionel Messi retires from international football after Chile stun Argentina in Copa America https://t.co/QkaYMlvSIZpic.twitter.com/qqo1T5VGdZ
— AFP news agency (@AFP) June 27, 2016
Messi was seen in tears in the dug-out afterwards.
It was the 112th time the 29-year-old had turned out for Argentina since his debut in 2005.
Chile eventually won 4-2 on penalties. It is their second consecutive Copa win.
What Messi said
“It’s tough, its not the time for analysis. In the dressing room, I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, its not for me.”
“I tried so hard to be champion with Argentina. But it did not happen, I could not do it.”
What others are saying
“I think Leo spoke in the heat of the moment because we missed that great chance,” – Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero.