The heartbroken Barcelona superstar was distraught after missing from the spot and it led to him facing fourth straight defeat in a major final while representing Argentina.
"For me the national team is over," a crestfallen Messi told reporters. "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."
A role model and an inspiration for hundreds of young football players, Messi's retirement sent a shock wave around the sporting world. Soon after he announced he was retiring from international football, heartbroken fans and followers, who were in utter disbelief, took to Twitter to express their disappointment.
Leonel #Messi ....!!! Thiz name is enough to Watch football !!!!!! But Now..!! How...!!! 😭😭😭😭
— ❤RAFI Rock Z ❤ (@UrsRafirock) June 27, 2016
#Messi #Messi #Messi Change ur decision Dude!
Lionel Messi retiring football. This can't be. He's such a great person and a great football player. He s a legend. #Messi
— Mikey (@MilcahSolivio) June 27, 2016
Ohhh messi ..plz don't retire😖 ...u r a true football legend ...
— MSDIAN'S CLUB (@JD27506671) June 27, 2016
Plz keep the hopes alive man ..#Messi pic.twitter.com/gcCwIQ2UWq
#messi come back stronger than ever
— fozlerabbi (@fozlerabbi65) June 27, 2016
It's a Sad Day for Football!
— Devdeep Singh (@SinghDevdeep) June 27, 2016
A Legend Retires!!
Messi retires from International Football!@TeamMessi#messiretirement #LegendRetires #Messi
Heartbreaking news 💔 #Messi Retired!!
— ❤AHMAD PAKHTOON FAN❤ (@iamAhmadshazadi) June 27, 2016
'Lion Messi' they called him and showed him how much he shall be missed
No One Can Replace You...You Are True Legend...The Lion..#Messi
— Messi Lover ⚽ (@Chal_Naw) June 27, 2016
Messi retires from international football, you will be truly missed #Messi
— Seyon Kugan (@SeyonKuganKV) June 27, 2016
Some fans wanted him to stay so bad that they literally cried at his decision to quit
#Messi ..... U made me Cry dude #Badluck
— SweetOo TwetOo (@ZeeBe_) June 27, 2016
😓😓😓😓 pic.twitter.com/D9GX3AFEnx
Others pleased him to stay
Please Don't Retire 😕 #Messi pic.twitter.com/qe5liVs5ZM
— Shanujan (@J_Shanujan) June 27, 2016
But guess some decisions are hard to make and Messi surely had a tough time announcing that.
Whether you are a football fan or not, this video showing 'Lion Messi' breakdown is will break you totally...
This video kills me, man. Horrible sight. Messi deserves better.#MessiRetirement#Messi#messiforever#CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/AjFb329VGW
— Sarmad Mangi (@Its_Frienzi) June 27, 2016
