 "Lionel Messi")
Lionel Messi sensationally quit international football leaving Argentinian football in turmoil after a traumatic penalty shootout defeat to Chile in the Copa America final.
The heartbroken Barcelona superstar left the field in tears today after missing a spot-kick in shoot-out, Messi's fourth straight defeat in a major final with Argentina.
"For me the national team is over," the crestfallen 29-year-old 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."
"We were all devastated in the dressing room, particularly Leo, I'd never seen him in such a state," said Manchester City star Sergio Aguero who warned that other players could also quit the national side.
"It's likely that Messi won't be the only one to go into international retirement," said Aguero. "Several players are wondering whether to continue. It's our toughest defeat to take."
Aguero did not say whether he would follow Messi in quitting but his name and that of Javier Mascherano were mentioned in media reports.
Social media campaigns were immediately launched in Argentina in a bid to get the superstar to change his mind.
The hashtags NotevayasLeo (Don't go Leo) and Messiquedate (Messi stay) spread quickly in the fallout.
Messi's dramatic announcement followed Argentina's third loss in a major final in three years.
They were beaten 1-0 by Germany in the final of the 2014 World Cup and lost on penalties, also to Chile, in the 2015 Copa America final.
Messi also tasted defeat with Argentina in the final of the 2007 Copa America.
Despite a glittering career that has seen him named FIFA World Player of the Year five times, Messi has faced persistent sniping from critics in Argentina.
Yet he received support today from Chile's victorious Argentine coach Juan Antonio Pizzi, who maintained that Messi is the best player ever.
