LIONEL Messi has said that he is to retire from international soccer after Argentina were beaten 4-2 by Chile in a penalty shootout in the Copa America final on Sunday, the fourth final the Barcelonastriker has lost with the national side.

Messi, a five times World Player of the year, missed Argentina's opening penalty in the shootout after the game ended 0-0 and he was shown in tears while sitting in the team dugout.
Messi hangs up his Argentina jersey after failing to land Copa America crown in USA.

Fans in Argentina did not want to believe that their superstar was quiting. Fans on social media called on the superstar to change his mind with hashtags such as Note- vayasLeo — Don't go Leo — and Messiquedate — Messi stay. 

About Lionel Messi-

• Name: Lionel Andres Messi
• Nationality: Argentinian (holds Spanish citizenship)
• Date of birth: June 24, 1987 – age 29
• Place of birth: Rosario, Argentina
• Club: Barcelona (Spain/since 2000)
• International appearances: 112 International goals: 55
• International debut: August 17, 2005, Hungary 1 Argentina 2

Honours

Club

• UEFA Champions League (4): 2005-06, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2014-15
• Club World Cup (3): 2009, 2011, 2015
• Spanish Championships – La Liga (8): 2004-05, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2012-13, 2014-15, 2015-16
• Spanish Cup (3): 2008-09, 2011-12, 2014-15, 2015-16
• Spanish Super Cups (6) 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
• International World Cup: Finalist (2010), Quarter-finalist (2006, 2010), 15 matches, 5 goals
• Copa America: Finalist (2015, 2007, 2016), Quarter-finalist (2011), 16 matches, 3 goals
• Olympic gold medal (1): 2008
• Under-20 World Cup (1): 2005

International:

• World Cup: Finalist (2010), Quarter-finalist (2006, 2010), 15 matches, 5 goals
• Copa America: Finalist (2015, 2007, 2016), Quarter-finalist (2011), 16 matches, 3 goals
• Olympic gold medal (1): 2008
• Under-20 World Cup (1): 2005

Individual Honours:

• Ballon D’Or (5): 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015
• Top scorer in the Spanish league (3): 2009-2010 (34 goals), 2011-2012 (50 goals), 2012-13 (46 goals)
• Top scorer in the Champions League (5): 2008-2009 (9 goals), 2009-2010 (8 goals), 2010-2011 (12 goals), 2011-2012 (14 goals), 2014-15 (10 goals)
• World Cup Golden Ball (1): Brazil 2014
• Olympic player of the tournament (1): 2008
• Under-20 World Cup player of the tournament (1): 2005
• Top scorer at Under-20 World Cup (1): 2005 (6 goals)

…

On top of everything, I missed the penalty kick," said Messi, after the match

Quote Box

It's a huge sadness once again… I tried so hard to be champion with Argentina. But it didn't happen. I couldn't do it.
– LIONEL MESSI (Argentina captain)

Messi is the best player in the history. We're not able to compare him to Maradona. The numbers are irrefutable.
– JUAN ANTONIO PIZZI (Chile coach)

It's our toughest defeat to take. We were all very devastated in the dressing room, particularly Leo. I have never seen him in such a state.
– SERGIO AGUERO

This is a bad day for world football. Players like Messi should retire with good memories, not with a bad memory like this.
– SUBRATA PAUL (Indian goalkeeper)

I think Leo spoke in the heat of the moment because we missed that great chance.
– SERGIO ROMERO (Argentina goalkeeper)

It's big loass to world football. Youngsters follow Messi, they play football idolising Messi. He is too young to retire and a lot of football is left in him.
– BHAICHUNG BHUTIA