Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football

The only CV point stopping Messi from staking a claim to the all-time greatest has been the lack of a major trophy at the international level. The centenary Copa America Cup was the best chance for Messi to break that unlucky and inglorious of streaks. The stars were never brighter with Argentina holding a psychological edge having already defeated Chile 2-1 in the group stages. Additionally, the entire gamut of stars for the team were on the pitch today – Higuain, di Maria, Aguero. But it all ended in a heartbreak on the night.

“The national team is over for me. The decision is already made. That’s it,” Messi told Argentine broadcaster TyC Sports.

Argentina looked set for breaking their final jinx today, but the plot soon disintegrated after a rough first half. It looked a repeat of the World Cup final as Gonzalo Higuain missed two chances and was eventually replaced by Sergio Aguero. But, Aguero as well squandered his chances as the match went into the penalty shootout. The plot unraveled further as Messi bungled up the first of Argentina's penalties.

With Argentina missing the fourth, Chile's Silva stepped up to slot the ball that ended Argentina's dreams at the Metlife stadium in New Jersey. A heartbroken Messi clutching his head trudged over to the dugout where he cut a lone sorry figure. But the night saw its most dramatic moment when an emotionally shaken Messi told TyC Sports that he would no longer play for the country.

Hope still remains that the greatest of our generation will withdraw his emotional decision and don the blue and white for probably his last chance to become the greatest of all time–the 2018 World Cup just two years away.

Update : Alternate reports suggest that the Spanish translator may have overblown Messi's emotional words. Official confirmation is awaited.

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