Lionel Messi retires from international football

Lionel Messi turns away after missing a penalty kick during Argentina's Copa America final defeat to Chile. Picture: Getty

The Barcelona forward has decided to quit without winning a major trophy with his country.

Following the defeat at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Messi admitted after failing to win in four finals for Argentina he had decided not to carry on.

Messi had become Argentina’s all-time top scorer with 55 goals earlier in the tournament but final heartache was followed by his post-match announcement.

Having lost Copa America finals in 2007, 2015 and 2016 and the World Cup final in 2014 Messi has turned his back on the international game.

He added: “There are four finals, not for me, unfortunately, it was what I wanted. More than ever I wanted to win at least this cup but (it) could not be.

“It’s very hard, but the decision is taken. Now I will not try more and there will be no going back.

“I tried many times to get a title and failed.”

Argentina lost 4-2 on penalties as Chile retained the title following a game which had ended 0-0 after extra time.

In a repeat of last year’s final when Chile also won on spot-kicks, both teams finished with 10 men in a bad-tempered clash as Argentina’s Marcos Rojo and Chile’s Marcelo Diaz saw red in the first half.

Messi and Lucas Biglia missed penalties for Argentina in the shoot-out to hand Chile their second Copa America title in a special tournament which was played to celebrate the competition’s centenary.

Messi blasted high and wide and Claudio Bravo saved Biglia’s kick leaving Francisco Silva to fire home the winning penalty and give Chile a second straight title.

Away from international football Messi has had a glittering career with Barcelona, who he joined at the age of 13 from Newell’s Old Boys.

He has won the Champions League four times, Spain’s Primera Division on eight occasions and four Copa del Rey crowns.

Messi has also been awarded the FIFA Ballon d’Or as the world’s best player five times.

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