Why Lionel Messi retires from international football

Why Lionel Messi retires from international football

"For me, the national team is over," he said after defeat by Chile in the Copa America final. "I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion."

Messi, 29, has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with Spanish side Barcelona.

But his only major international honour is Olympic gold at the 2008 Games.

As well as losing two Copa America finals on penalties to Chile, Messi was in the Argentina side beaten 1-0 by Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.

The forward, who was been awarded the Ballon d'Or five times, was also on the losing side against Brazil in the 2007 Copa America final.

'Mexit' leaves Messi fans pleading for change of heart
"It's been four finals, I tried," added Messi, who made his debut for Argentina in 2005 and has played 113 times for his country.

"It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's over.

Analysis

South American football expert Tim Vickery:

Before Sunday's match, Argentina football legend Diego Maradona said that the team should not bother coming home if they lose. Year in, year out, Messi has been more consistent at the highest level than Maradona was.

But Maradona has that title. He was the leader of the pack when Argentina won the World Cup in 1986. His form in the quarters and the semi-finals, against England and Belgium, was out of this world...

Read more

Shootout woe

Sunday's Copa America final finished 0-0 after 120 minutes, with Chile eventually winning 4-2 on penalties.

Messi missed Argentina's first attempt from the spot, ballooning his shot over the bar after Romero had denied Chile's Arturo Vidal.

Lucas Biglia also missed from 12 yards, with Chilean substitute Francisco Silva scoring the decisive penalty in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Copa America usually takes place every four years, but this was an extra tournament to celebrate the competition's centenary.