Argentine footballer Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football after his team’s defeat at the hands of Chile in the final match of Copa America today. Here’s how the world was heart-broken:
After a 3rd final defeat in 3 years, Lionel Messi has retired from international football.https://t.co/G0QG8V3vyjpic.twitter.com/70UsDVO390
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 27, 2016
Messi missed a decisive penalty shootout during the match.
WHY MESSI WHY pic.twitter.com/mqADlX0cDz
— Ryan (@Bentalebae) June 27, 2016
Messi last night. https://t.co/bZeyB8cwXf
— Russian Market (@russian_market) June 27, 2016
“I tried so hard to be champion with Argentina. But it didn’t happen. I couldn’t do it,” The Guardian reported him as saying. Twitter exploded with reactions on the footballer’s dramatic exit from professional football. Within hours of the announcement, more than 3 million tweets were sent out. Most were in denial.
Waking up to the news of Messi’s retirement is unreal! ??? pic.twitter.com/t0iUlabEhi
— TEAM RABIA ANUM (@Lishmaaa) June 27, 2016
I’m in denial about messi retiring from international. He has to come back he has to go to Russia ☹️
— Claudia (@_SimpleC) June 27, 2016
I better wake up tomorrow morning with good news that messi was just kidding about quitting his national team pic.twitter.com/RiAHqWNUPZ
— न्याकेड काउबोएे (@aashimghimire) June 27, 2016
Others supported the footballer’s decision.
Messi is a legend, no matter what! ?❤️
— Luigi Castillo (@Lowkeyluigi) June 27, 2016
Messi’s back hurts from carrying his team for years
— yvette (@ziamftkanye) June 27, 2016
Messi deserves more than losing 4 finals. He deserves to win the goddamn thing. Sometimes football can very painful and unfair.
— Nijad Nazarli (@nijad_nazarli) June 27, 2016
A group of Twitter users called Messi’s retirement ‘quitting’.
I’m no soccer player, but Messi saying he will retire from international play sounds a lot like he is quitting and giving up than retiring.
— That 1 Tennis Player (@CrabtreeJaco) June 27, 2016
I have tremendous respect for Messi. If he does not reconsider his decision, he’ll be a sore loser for me. I mean who doesn’t lose? Come on.
— Rohit Neopane (@neorohit) June 27, 2016
I really don’t want Messi to give up on getting a title for his country.
— Yoel (@Yoooo_el) June 27, 2016
Don’t give up Messi bcos, despite all the disappointment in the finals played, many look up to you
Soldier on… pic.twitter.com/Xu9fEfevdl— AugustOkrah Official (@AugustineOkrah1) June 27, 2016
To me Messi just looks like a quitter right now.. And that’s my favorite player
— Angel To The (@angelxsweat) June 27, 2016
And then there’s this possibility.
This would even be funnier if after his decision the team goes on to win a title without Messi.
— Ronnie (@ronnieamofa) June 27, 2016
