Lionel Messi Quits International Football

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Barcelona star Lionel Messi might never play for Argentina again, after Sunday night's Copa America final loss to Chile. Argentina lost 4-2 on penalties to Chile after a 0-0 draw in MetLife Stadium, and an emotional Messi said after the match that his career with the national team is over.

"My thinking right now and thinking about it in the locker room, I'm done playing with the national team," he told a group of reporters, including ESPN's Diego Monroig.

Asked if he were retiring, the 29-year old said, "I tried my hardest. It's been four finals, and I was not able to win. I tried everything possible. It hurts me more than anyone, but it is evident that this is not for me. I want more than anyone to win a title with the national team, but unfortunately, it did not happen."

Now that Messi has gone on record with his intention to end his international career, several of his long-time international colleagues could follow. Sources have told ESPN's Diego Monroig that Sergio Aguero, Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia are also planning to retire. Additionally, Ever Banega, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain are also considering their international futures, according to multiple reports.

Aguero told reporters after the match, "Some of us are evaluating not playing for the national team anymore."

Messi, who made his senior international debut in 2005, is his country's all-time top scorer, with 55 goals from 113 appearances. He rocked his teammates with the news, with goalkeeper Sergio Romero saying the No. 10 might have made a hasty decision.

"I think that Leo spoke in the heat of the moment because a good opportunity passed us by," Romero said.

Aguero offered his take.

"Lamentably, the most f---ed up is Leo, because of the penalty," Aguero said, referencing Messi's missed penalty kick. "It's the worst I've seen him in the dressing room."

The news comes off the back of Messi's criticising the Argentine football federation (AFA) ahead of the final and revealing in a news conference on Friday that he had a backlog of complaints with the AFA.

Argentina manager Gerardo Martino, who had not heard about Messi's retirement when he spoke to the press after the match, urged his entire squad to continue playing for the Albiceleste despite their frustrations with the AFA.

"My impression is that they don't have any reason not to continue," Martino said. "We're in the middle of a very difficult World Cup qualification, which will continue in September. Besides, they've done well. They don't have too much to scold themselves over

"Regarding the political situation, there's not much to say. It's the same situation that's been going on for the last six months. The result doesn't change our view of these past six months or the problems that may have arisen."

"There is a political matter here that has to do with those in charge of the destiny of Argentine football at the moment and those who aspire to do so," Martino continued. "None of this has had any impact on us or can be used as an excuse, because we reached the final, and we should've won it.

"[Messi] is the way any footballer must be when he gets to the final and then loses. Certainly, to lose again is too painful to assume a posture that's any different than that, either on the field or in the dressing room."

Source: ESPN