LIONEL MESSI "has retired from international duty after missing in a penalty shootout as Argentina lost a fourth major final in nine years," according to the BBC. He said after his team's loss to Chile in the Copa América final, "For me, the national team is over. I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion." Messi, 29, has won eight La Liga titles with Barcelona, but his only major int'l honor is Olympic Gold at the 2008 Games. Messi added, "It's been four finals, I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's over. I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, then for everyone. I think there's a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it. It's very hard, but the decision is taken. Now I will not try more and there will be no going back." Argentina and ManU goalkeeper SERGIO ROMERO said that he hoped Messi would "reflect" on his decision and reconsider. Romero: "I think he spoke while he was heated, because a beautiful opportunity escaped us. I can't imagine a national team without Messi." SERGIO AGUERO said, "There are several players who are evaluating not continuing with the national team." Argentine newspaper La Nacion reported Aguero, JAVIER MASCHERANO and GONZALO HIGUAIN "are also set to retire," while ESPN Deportes reported ANGEL DI MARIA, LUCAS BIGLIA, EZEQUIEL LAVEZZI and EVER BANEGA "could follow suit" (BBC, 6/27).
ANALYZING THE MOVE: SKY SPORTS' Guillem Balague -- who wrote a biography of Messi -- looked at "the reasoning behind Messi's retirement, and the implications of his decision." Balague answered the question of why Argentina does not appreciate Messi "as much as the rest of world football," writing, "A lot of Argentinians do but there are a bunch of very noisy ones that have, to some extent, made his life hell when he is in Argentina. They believe he is not Argentinian enough, that he doesn't try hard enough for the team and that he doesn't play the same as he does for Barcelona, despite that being obvious because he doesn't have the same level of players around him. That has been eroding his love of playing for the national side in a way. I have the impression that he would have taken this decision, a decision which has taken everyone by surprise, no matter what, although he would have hoped to have done so with a win." Balague added, "We saw him crying and then the decision was announced. I do feel that at 29 years old, he probably thought that was it for him anyway" (SKY SPORTS, 6/27).
BITTER DEFEAT: In Buenos Aires, Antonio Serpa commented Argentina "bleeds, and a never-ending wound that has reached 23 years bleeds." It is the "goodbye of the best, the captain, the champion without a crown." Messi and his teammates are part of a "cursed generation, a golden generation that cannot free itself from this curse and is condemned to cry." Messi "can be calm." He can "sleep in peace." He gave "everything he had" (OLÉ, 6/27).
INT'L PRESS REACTS: In Barcelona, Toni Juanmartí reported Messi's decision "was a major topic worldwide." Argentine newspaper La Nación wrote, "The end of an era. A defeat in penalties in the final of the Copa América meant more than a hard impact for the Argentine national team." Bild: "Messi retires from the national team. Messi's last shot with Argentina. Aguero: 'I have never seen him so destroyed.'" The London Daily Mirror: "Messi, goodbye to the national team after losing in penalties. Lionel Messi has surprised the football world." Gazzetta Dello Sport: "A shock announcement" (SPORT, 6/27).
