TheCable

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after losing to Chile again in the final of the Copa America Centenario.

Messi missed his penalty in the Copa America final shootout in his 112th appearance for the La Albiceleste as Argentina lost their third major final in three years, following last year’s continental final defeat to chile and the 2014 World Cup final loss to Germany.

“It’s tough; it’s not the time for analysis,” Messi said.

“In the dressing room, I thought that this is the end for me with the national team; it’s not for me.

“That’s the way I feel right now, it’s a huge sadness once again and I missed the penalty that was so important. I tried so hard to be champion with Argentina. But it didn’t happen. I couldn’t do it.”

Messi confirmed the news on Argentina’s Twitter account.

The four-time world footballer of the year hangs up his international boots as Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer, having netted 55 times for his country, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta last week.