#4 Lionel Messi retires. And then returns.
The final of the Copa America, being played on its 100 year anniversary, was won by Chile, as they defeated Argentina to pick up their second consecutive Copa America title in two years. Argentina were coincidentally the defeated finalists in the previous year too. This was the third major final in an international tournament that Argentina lost in three consecutive years, as Germany snatched the World Cup from under their noses in 2014.
And as if the loss in the final was not enough, Lionel Messi compounded the heartache for Argentina fans by saying that he was retiring from international football. "For me, the national team is over," he said. "I've done all I can, I've been in four finals, and it hurts not to be a champion. It's a hard moment for me and the team, and it's difficult to say, but it's over with the Argentina team."
The decision shocked football fans all over the world as the Barcelona man was only 29 and had much to offer. While the disappointment of consecutive defeats was touted as the main reason behind his decision, there were rumours that it was in protest against Argentina’s central football governing body, the AFA, and it’s shambolic structure.
But the dismay of the fans was short lived as Argentina’s highest goalscorer made a decision to return to the national team.
"A lot of things went through my mind on the night of the final and I gave serious thought to quitting, but my love for my country and this shirt is too great," Messi said. He went on to add that "There are a lot of issues that need to be resolved in Argentine football, but I prefer to help from within and not to criticise from the outside,"
Messi marked his return to international football in typical fashion, scoring the winner against Uruguay. The world will look now, in eager anticipation of what the talismanic forward can do in Russia in 2018.
