Messi calls it a day after a rollercoaster ride with Argentina

Argentina’s Lionel Messi shocked the sporting world on Monday, announcing his retirement from international football after his side lost the Copa America Centenario final to Chile in a penalty shootout after he failed to find the net. (Shutterstock)

Updated on: Jun 27, 2016 1:00 PM IST

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Argentina’s Lionel Messi shocked the sporting world on Monday, announcing his retirement from international football after his side lost the Copa America Centenario final to Chile in a penalty shootout after he failed to find the net. (Shutterstock)

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Argentina's Lionel Messi misses his shot during penalty kicks in the Copa America Centenario final. (AP Photo)

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Argentina midfielder Lionel Messi (10) reacts during a shoot out against Chile in the championship match of the 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer tournament at MetLife Stadium. (REUTERS)

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Argentina's Lionel Messi, top, celebrates a goal by Gonzalo Higuain (9) during the first half of a Copa America Centenario quarterfinal. (AP Photo)

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Lionel Messi (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring a free-kick against USA during their Copa America Centenario semifinal football match in Houston. (AFP Photo)

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Lionel Messi practices during a training session of Argentina's National football team at San Jose State University. (AFP Photo)

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Lionel Messi and girlfriend Antonella Rocuzzo swim with dolphins at the Delphinus aquarium on July 24, 2010 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. (AP Photo)

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Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Bolivia during their Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup South American Qualifiers' football match in Cordoba. (AFP)

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Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi (L) and his wife Argentinian model Antonella Roccuzzo during the red carpet ceremony ahead of the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or award ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on January 12, 2015. (AFP Photo)

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Marcos Rojo, Martin Demichelis, Pablo Zabaleta, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Rodrigo Palacio of Argentina celebrate defeating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout as goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen of the Netherlands reacts during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil semi-final. (Getty Images)

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ionel Messi of Argentina scores his team's second goal and his second of the game during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match between Nigeria and Argentina at Estadio Beira-Rio on June 25, 2014 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. (Getty Images)

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Lionel Messi of Argentina controls the ball against Josip Drmic (L), Fabian Schar (2nd L), Stephan Lichtsteiner (2nd R) and Ricardo Rodriguez of Switzerland during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Argentina and Switzerland at Arena de Sao Paulo on July 1, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Getty Images)

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Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after his team's loss to Chile in their Copa America 2015 final soccer match at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile. (REUTERS)

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Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates his second goal with teammates during their Spanish first division soccer match against Sevilla at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona November 22, 2014. (REUTERS)

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FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi of Argentina holds the World Player of the Year award during the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland. (REUTERS)

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Lionel Messi of Argentina is put under pressure by Zinha, Gerardo Torrado and Gonzalo Pineda of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Mexico. (Getty Images)

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Argentinian forwards Lionel Messi (L) and Sergio Aguero gold medal pose during the men's Olympic football tournament medal ceremony at the national stadium in Beijing during the Men's Final between Nigeria and Argentina at the National Stadium on Day 15 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. (Getty Images)

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Lionel Messi flips into a pool during a relaxed practice of Argentina’s Under-20 soccer team on Jan. 14, 2005 in Pereira, Colombia. (AP Photo)