Why Messi is right to retire from international football
The headlines surrounding a major sporting final usually revolve around the winning team. This wasn't the case for the Copa America final. First, the world was focussed on Lionel Messi's missed penalty that effectively lost Argentina the game. Then, even as the world began to laud the Chilean team for their second successive Copa win, Chile was suddenly banished from the spotlight altogether - Lionel Messi had retired from international football.
While some football fans reacted with surprise, to most Messi's decision was hardly a surprise. Sunday's missed penalty was only the latest in a long line of international heartbreaks for the man many consider to be the greatest footballer in history.
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Though he has scaled every height club football has to offer, winning multiple Champions League titles along the way, Messi's time with the national team has been far less successful Despite having assumed the mantle of captain five years ago and giving his all for the team, he hasn't had a single big tournament triumph with the international side. The most he's ever managed for Argentina is a FIFA World Youth Championship and an Olympic gold. But that's about it.
In fact, after this latest defeat, Messi, while announcing his retirement, despondently told the press, "It's not meant for me. For me the national team is over. I've done all I can, it hurts not to be a champion."
The decision is the right one for Messi, because his relationship with the Argentinian team has always been a thankless one. Ever since Messi first left Argentina for Spain, at the age of 13, he has always been considered something of an outsider; not Argentinian enough for the majority of Argentinians. This is despite Messi choosing to represent his home country despite being eligible to represent the far more successful Spanish team.
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Messi often draws comparisons to Argentinian legend Maradonna, even from the man himself, but has never received the sort of adulation that Maradonna did. In fact, this comparison has seemingly made Argentinians even more inclined to dislike Messi. He's expected to win Argentina trophies like Maradonna did, and, when he doesn't, is pilloried for it.
Never mind that Maradonna played in an era that was far less tactically or physically competitive than the modern game. Or even the fact that Maradonna was playing in a far more cohesive, and, some would argue, better overall team than Messi, is immaterial. Messi has been the driving force behind an average team for over a decade now, carrying the burden that should be shouldered by 10 other players.
Lionel Messi, (left), #10 of Argentina with team mates on the half way line after missing a penalty in the penalty shoot out during the Argentina Vs Chile Final match of the Copa America Centenario USA 2016 Tournament at MetLife Stadium on June 26, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)Lionel Messi of Argentina looks dejected after the 2015 Copa America Chile Final match between Chile and Argentina at Nacional Stadium on July 04, 2015 in Santiago, Chile. (Photo: Raul Sifuentes/ LatinContent/Getty Images)Lionel Messi of Argentina takes of his second place medal after the 2015 Copa America Chile Final match between Chile and Argentina at National Stadium on July 04, 2015 in Santiago, Chile. (Photo: Felipe Zanca/LatinContent/Getty Images)But more than that burden, which he has carried uncomplainingly for as long as he's played for the Albiceleste, he has also borne the flak that his team mates deserved far more than him. To say that he under performs in big games is daft, because it takes a team to win a tournament, not just one man. Pele didn't do it on his own, neither did Ronaldo or, indeed, Maradonna.
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And he shouldn't have to deal with any of the bitterness or criticism. Messi has already achieved legend status in the beautiful game. He is arguably the greatest player the world has ever seen. With the ball at his feet there is no sight in today's game that is more stunning. He will never be forgotten, but it wont be for his performances with Argentina, but the legacy he has built with Barcelona. A legacy that has won him a legion of fans, both Barcelona and otherwise.
While some would say he shouldn't retire from the national team and that the country must always come first, I say more power to him; the ingrates in Argentina do not deserve him.
A dejected Lionel Messi of Argentina after losing the FIFA World Cup Final. (Photo: AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)Lionel Messi of Argentina walks past the World Cup trophy as he receives the Golden Ball during the award ceremony after the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo: Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)Photos curated by Priyata Brajbasi