Lionel Messi Retires from International Football, Aged 29

[TractorBoys]

Following penalty miss and Copa America loss. Bizarre
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...bile&utm_medium=Twitter&utm_campaign=referral

 

[G-Dragon]

He did look sad af after argentina lost on pens. It was probably harder to take it for him than any one else because of who he is. But DAMN! TOO EARLY...

 

[JJH]

Strange at such a young age, you'd have thought he had unfinished business as well given that they've lost the last three finals of major tournaments in a row.

 

[G-Dragon]

Mascherano follows him and retires too. Aguero thinking about it too. Dat be funneh.

 

[liu]

Didn't see this coming.
Guess it is too hard and frustrating to carry an average (maybe a bit better than average) team for a major trophy even when he is the best of all time. Especially when quite a lot of people believe they are one of the top teams that deserve to win something and keep saying he's not as good as the scumbag who played no more than 20 games at the top level.

 

[JimJams]

Argentina - ranked no.1 in the world - average team?

 

[liu]

World ranking means too little.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Probably got his mind on extending his playing career domestically at the best standard he can, for as long as he can. Traveling half the world every time there's an international fixture would become tiring.

 

[TheArtfulDodger]

He's retiring in protest at the Brexit vote, surely this means we'll stay IN?

 

[GodsGift]

What a baby.

 

[TheArtfulDodger]

To be fair, his statement doesn't sound particularly definitive. Very easy to go back on, I'd be incredibly disappointed if this is the case and it'd be a loss for the World Cup 2018. There are rumours that there are serious problems in relations between the Argentinian FA and the bulk of the players, hence the mass exodus and this may have happened irrespective of the result. Does have the hint of a tantrum though.

 

[Stevencc]

"Messi, is only a game".

 

[voltage]

AFA is under suspect of corruption schemes plus other problems coming for so long with dealing the national team so I don't judge it as puerile just think Messi and other players said to join him have motives enough to do it.

 

[epic73]

At 29? Too early, especially since he hadn't won anything.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Pathetic from Messi, spat his dummy out because he's not managed to win anything? Surely that should spur him on more rather than just give up? I've got a feeling he'll not want to miss out on the next World Cup.

 

[SALTIRE]

He's back.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37066033

 

[TractorBoys]

Soap opera.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Yep, seems like he's put his bottom lip back in now especially after watching Ronaldo win the Euros with Portugal. Great news for Argentina and football fans though.

 

[Libertadores FC]

A bit late, but a little known fact. Messi losing in so many finals is only part of the equation as to why he's "retired" put that in quotes for obvious reasons, but the main reason is because of how corrupt the AFA are. I wouldn't be surprised if he "retires" again after the WC even if they win it.