Washington:Barcelona star striker Lionel Messi on Monday announced his retirement from international football after missing a penalty in Argentina’s 2-4 defeat against Chile in the Copa America Centenario final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Following the defeat, Messi informed that he had made the decision not to appear for the national team once again.
“The national team is over for me. That’s four finals (lost,) it’s not for me. It’s a made decision, I think,” the 29-year-old was quoted as saying by goal.com.
Messi admitted that he is feeling extremely sad after missing his penalty kick, which was really crucial for his side.
After both sides failed to score goal in regulation time and extra time, Chile and Argentina were taken to penalties to decide the winner.
Messi, who was making his 112th appearance for Argentina, missed his spot-kick in the dramatic penalty shootout.
Chile striker Nicolas Castillo was the first to break the deadlock as he firmly struck the crucial spot-kick after his teammate Arturo Vidal missed his penalty.
Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano soon levelled the score before Charles Aranguiz netted a penalty kick for Chile to put them in lead again,the Guardian reported.
Although Manchester United Sergio Aguero equalized the score for Argentina, Jean Beausejour and Jean Beausejour struck their respective penalties to ensure Chile lift their second consecutive Copa America trophy.
The defeat brought back the memories of 2015 when Chile made history on home soil by beating Argentina 4-1 in a dramatic penalty shootout to clinch the title in Santiago.(ANI)