A few minutes after losing the final, Messi walked off the field - a dazed, painful look on his bearded face. The greatest player of his generation, one of football's best ever, was still without a title with his national team — one he said is "not meant for" him - before saying that it's over with Argentina.
"The national team is over for me," he told the Argentine network TyC Sports after Chile beat the 'Albiceleste' on Monday (India time). "It's been four finals. It's not meant for me. I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's over."
The world came to a standstill with Messi's decision to retire from international football and the hopes and dreams of several aspiring players was nothing but over. Meanwhile, fans and football enthusiasts from across the globe bid Messi farewell on social media while expressing disbelief, shock and despair.
In India and the subcontinent #Messi remained a top trend throughout Monday morning; however, closely chasing him was Afridi.
Wondering why on a day when one of the world's greatest football players announced his retirement, a Pakistani cricketer was trending on Twitter? Well, others were thinking just the same...
Why is Shahid Afridi trending? Is it his 17th birthday or something today?
— Madhavan Narayanan (@madversity) June 27, 2016
Here's the answer...the 36-year-old Pakistani allrounder Afridi, who announced retirement from all forms of cricket on several previous occasions, changed his decision each time he quit only to return and play for the country.
So the social media users took this opportunity to ask Afridi when will he finally hang up his boots?
Although the occasion wasn't right but certainly the question was, and while football fans were still recovering from the shocking news of Messi's retirement, Afridi got trolled and how!
Oh, okay. Looks like Shahid Afridi has announced retirement from international football.
— Anuradha (@anuradha_kush) June 27, 2016
The Only Comeback Chance Of #Messi is to Send A Friend Request To Shahid Afridi
— An MSD Fan ©® (@FailuresWay) June 27, 2016
Today is Shahid Afridi 's 17th birthday. He will announce his retirement from International Cricket in all formats.
— IndianFox (@riksec08) June 27, 2016
When Shahid Afridi retired 1st time #Messi made his debut..:-D
— Anish Verma (@anish_verma4) June 27, 2016
Please Messi! do a Shahid Afridi !
— Abdul Afaan (@Afaan_01) June 27, 2016
Someone please tell Messi about Afridi! #Messi #CopaAmerica #retirement #HardToBelieve
Good decision, Messi bhai. I will also retire when I turn 29. ~ Shahid Afridi
— Tweet Man (@Thebiswajitdas) June 27, 2016
Now only Shahid Afridi can save Argentina.
— Kamran (@IamKQ_18) June 27, 2016
Messi's ardent fans prayed and wished he retired just like Afridi - for namesake
#Messi please retire like Shahid Afridi....for the namesake
— Manek (@BeingManek) June 27, 2016
@kiri_chopra
— Dhruv Girdhar (@sarcasticghochu) June 27, 2016
Dear #Messi,
Please be like Shahid Afridi. Even if he retires every year, yet he comes back after every retirement.
Thanks!!
Dear #Messi bi like shahid afridi😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/CMzqNJgwKO
— SULTAN BHAIJAN (@javidunia) June 27, 2016
And we saved the best for the last! The most epic tweet a Twitter user could come up with...Messi's reply on being asked if he could consider changing his decision.
Reporter: "Will you reconsider your decision?"
— Manoj Harishchandre (@SirJad1) June 27, 2016
Messi: "No. I'm Not Shahid Afridi." ;)#LionelMessi #CopaAmerica
(With inputs from AP)
