On the 26th of June this year when the Argentinian football team played the finals of Copa America Centenario, many expected them to lift the trophy considering the blistering form they were in. But it wasn’t going to be ‘third time lucky’ for the Albiceleste as they suffered their third straight loss in as many major tournament finals.
While the defeat was gut wrenching in itself, the news that followed left not only the Nation but the entire footballing fraternity in shock. One of the greatest footballers of all time, Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the national team.
While the social media went into a meltdown with criticism and sympathy alike for the living legend, one could never really understand what was going on in his mind. Especially when he had missed a crucial spot kick in the shootout which Chile went on to win and laid their hands on the coveted trophy.
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In a recent interview to the Liverpool Echo, his compatriot and Everton FC center half Ramiro Funes Mori revealed how he felt about his teammate's decision.
"It was said at a sad moment, not just for Messi, but for all of us," the defender said.
"We wanted to win the cup but at the end of the day we couldn't make it but hopefully he decides to come back. Maybe he said it in a moment when he was mad but hopefully for football, for the people and for everything, we need these kinds of players because they are different."
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Considering the pressures Lionel Messi-the footballer faces, when hundreds of cameras are constantly watching him, critics judging every action of his and over and above all this, the pressure he puts on himself everytime he steps on the pitch, his decision to quit national football after three major losses is justified in a way.
But like Funes Mori said, such footballers come along once in a generation and to see a premature end to their career is disheartening. The fact that the Argentine president and a host of local clubs are pleading personally to the man to take back his decision is proof enough of how much it would mean for the entire nation to see their cult hero back in action.
Messi is said to be reconsidering his decision of retirement and we can only hope that we see the little magician don the famous white and blue stripes once more very soon.
