East Rutherford, New Jersey: Argentina star Lionel Messi may not be the only player to decide on international retirement after their Copa America heartbreak, according to compatriot and ace striker Sergio Aguero.
Argentina drew 0-0 with Chile in the final on Sunday before a missed penalty from Messi contributed to a 4-2 defeat in the shoot-out, after which the Barcelona star brought down the curtains on his international career.
Aguero, who shared with Messi the pain of consecutive defeats in Copa America finals to Chile and the loss of the 2014 World Cup final to Germany, confirmed that the devastation of another near miss had many contemplating a similar move.
“There are several players who are evaluating not continuing with the national team. This is the worst dressing-room I’ve ever been in, worse than the final in the World Cup in Brazil and the other Copa America,” Aguero was quoted as saying by goal.com on Sunday.
Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero, however, believes that Messi may come down from his decision after the initial heartbreak of Sunday’s defeat wears off.
“I think he spoke in the heat of the moment because a beautiful opportunity escaped us. I can’t imagine a national team without Messi. I think he’ll reflect on it,” Romero said.
Argentina, the most successful nation at the Copa America with 14 titles, thus continue their 23-year wait to win a major tournament. Their last triumph was in 1993 when they won the Copa America title.
The defeat was rendered even more poignant for Argentina fans as Messi announced his international retirement. The announcement brought down the curtains on a disappointing international career, which started in 2005.
“The national team is over for me,” Messi told the Argentine network TyC Sports. “It’s been four finals, it’s not meant for me. I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over.”
Messi and Argentina lost to Brazil in the 2007 Copa final and to Germany in extra time in the 2014 World Cup final. They lost last year’s Copa final to host Chile on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw.
Messi moved to Barcelona in 2001 when he was 13, and many fans at home have criticised him for not leading the nation to a World Cup title, as Diego Maradona did in 1990.
“On top of everything, I missed the penalty kick,” Messi told TyC. “I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, and then for everyone. I think there’s a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it.”
Of course, Messi was speaking in the aftermath of the emotional defeat and could change his mind. Argentina’s next competitive match is a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in September, and the top-ranked Albiceleste are considered among the early favourites to win the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Messi, who turned 29 on Friday, won under-20 and Olympic (under-23) titles with Argentina. He has led Barcelona to four Champions League and eight Spanish league titles, scoring 453 competitive goals in 531 games, including a La Liga-record 312
“That’s it, I’ve already tried enough,” he told TyC. “It pains me more than anyone not being able to be a champion with Argentina, but that’s the way it is. It wasn’t meant to be, and unfortunately I leave without having achieved it.”
