Lionel Messi tells Argentine network TyC Sports he’s quitting national soccer team.
Messi’s shocking announcement came after Messi put a penalty kick over the crossbar, Francisco Silva converted Chile’s shootout finale and La Roja won its second straight Copa America title by beating Argentina 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 0-0 tie Sunday night.
That left the superstar still awaiting his first title with Argentina’s national team.
Playing two days after his 29th birthday, Messi lost a final for the third year in a row following an extra-time defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup and a penalty-kicks loss to host Chile in last year’s Copa America.
The five-time FIFA Player of the Year has won four Champions League titles and eight La Liga crowns with Barcelona, but has never taken a trophy with Argentina’s senior team.
For its 100th anniversary, South America’s championship was expanded to 16 nations and played in the United States, and Argentina was hoping to win its first major title since 1993.
