Argentina's Copa final failure pushes Messi toward international retirement

Sunday was supposed to be Lionel Messi's banner day. But a stout Chilean defense and missed penalty kick have altered Messi's career path forever.

Brian Straus | Jun 27, 2016

Argentina's Copa final failure pushes Messi toward international retirement /

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — As two teammates walked toward the goal to console Lucas Biglia, whose penalty kick was saved by the Chilean goalkeeper, Lionel Messi stepped away, turned to the benches and pulled his blue-and-white striped jersey over his face. He did his best to disappear in a sold-out stadium filled with over 80,000 fans, to escape the spotlight shining on this Copa América Centenario final and to hide from the inevitable outcome.

Chile needed to convert only one more penalty to claim the crown and send Messi and Argentina to their third defeat in a major international final in three years. The five-time world player of the year spun back toward the center circle at MetLife Stadium, fell to his knees and let his forehead sink into the grass as La Roja’s Francisco Silva did the honors. Argentina’s 23-year title drought would continue, and the weight of that wait finally seemed to crush the strong, elusive player that almost no defender can catch.

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There were many minutes alone in the dugout as players, security staff, confetti-cannon handlers, photographers, dignitaries and select fans made their way onto the field.

Messi clearly was in tears as he finally rose to accept another silver medal. He removed it before leaving the stage and in the locker room afterward, apparently decided that the disappointment had become too much to bear.

He’d lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany in extra time. He lost the 2015 Copa América final to Chile on penalty kicks after a scoreless draw. And on Sunday night, granted another chance in this special centennial tournament to do for country what he’s done so often for his club, it happened again. Except he made his penalty last summer—this time he missed, hooking his effort well over the crossbar and into the stands behind the south goal.

“It’s incredible, the fact that we can’t win it,” Messi told reporters after emerging. “It happened to us again, and by penalty kicks. It’s the third consecutive final. We tried. We tried and it wasn’t for us. It’s difficult in this moment to do any sort of analysis. In the locker room, I thought that the national team is not for me. It’s what I feel right now. It’s a great sadness that it happened to me again, the fact that I missed a penalty kick that was very important. It’s for the good of everybody. It’s not enough to just get to the final and not win.”

He stopped again and reiterated, “I was thinking in the locker room that this is it for me in terms of the national team. It has been four finals [including the 2007 Copa América]. It's not for me. I tried to find [a title]. It's what I wanted most. Unfortunately, I didn't get it, but I think that's it."

The player who loves to play, who has almost no interest in being a celebrity, a symbol, a spokesperson or anything other than a footballer, who sulks when removed from a game his side is winning by multiple goals—was devastated to a point where he pondered quitting. Those who wondered whether the Centenario meant something have their answer.

Said forward Sergio Agüero, the Manchester City star who’s Messi’s best friend on the national team, “I don’t know what the rest of the players think, but what I saw today in the dressing room I have never seen before.”

Toxic psyche clouds Argentina as team hits mental breaking point

It had to be the heat of that devastating moment. Messi just turned 29 on Friday and remains at the height of his peerless powers. He led Barcelona to the Club World Cup, La Liga and Copa del Rey titles last season and tallied 41 goals in all competitions. In last Friday’s semifinal thumping of the U.S., he became Argentina’s all-time leading scorer. Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi, an Argentine, called Messi “the best player in history” both before Sunday’s match and after.

Asked about whether Messi’s legacy in Argentina would be tarnished by his final failures, Pizzi said, “Beside having an admiration for Messi, I really guide myself by the numbers … Messi’s numbers cannot be equaled … It’s impossible for a football player to achieve the things that Messi has achieved.”

Pizzi, 48, admitted that many from his generation inevitably compare Messi to Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup championship. Maradona, of course, never equaled Messi’s club exploits and certainly has had more significant failings on a personal level. But he delivered for his country and remains an icon and a fixture there, while Messi’s relationship with Argentina always has been a bit less certain. He left for Barcelona at age 13 and has lived there since, perhaps making him feel like he has to prove his patriotic bona fides.

He told Sports Illustrated in May, “Despite the distance from my birth country, we have always lived in a very Argentine way in Barcelona, drinking maté tea and eating my favorite Milanesa breaded meat cutlets and dulce de leche pancakes for dessert. Eventually I learned to speak Catalan, but my Spanish still has an Argentine accent. My partner, Antonella Roccuzzo, is also from Rosario. Sometimes people have questioned my Argentine-ness, especially when the national team hasn’t done well, but I love my country deeply and would like to move back someday.”

GALLERY: Classic photos of Lionel Messi

Best photos of Lionel Messi throughout the years

A young Lionel Messi poses for a photo in Argentina circa 1993.

Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring Argentina's second goal against Venezuela during a South American Under-20 Championship game on Jan. 13, 2005 in Armenia, Colombia.

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

Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy after Argentina won the FIFA World Youth Championships over Nigeria on July 2, 2005 in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Lionel Messi poses with the Golden Boy trophy awarded by Italian magazine 'Tuttosport' distinguishing the best player under-21 on Dec. 14, 2005 in Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Rafael Marquez celebrate after defeating Espanyol to win the Spanish League on May 6, 2006 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

Khalid Boulahrouz and Lionel Messi challenge for the ball during the World Cup Group C soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina on June 21, 2006 at the World Cup stadium in Frankfurt, Germany.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores with his hand during a Spanish League match against Espanyol on June 9, 2007 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain. Messi continued to draw comparisons with Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona who scored in similar fashion during a quarterfinal World Cup match against England in 1986.

Argentina's Lionel Messi plays the ball during the 2008 Summer Olympics Men's Soccer semifinal against Brazil on Aug. 19, 2008 at Beijing Workers' Stadium in China.

Lionel Messi speaks with the media upon his arrival at the Buenos Aires International Airport on May 30, 2009.

Argentina's Lionel Messi plays the ball during the FIFA World Cup Group B match against South Korea on June 17, 2010 at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Argentina head coach Diego Maradona talks with Lionel Messi as they celebrate their victory over South Korea in the FIFA World Cup Group B match on June 17, 2010 at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Argentina's Lionel Messi plays the ball during the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Mexico on June 27, 2010 at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Marcos Delgado/Clasos.com/LatinContent/Getty Images

Lionel Messi sits on the beach with girlfriend Antonella Rocuzzo on July 20, 2010 in Cancun, Mexico.

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

Barcelona's Lionel Messi from vies for the ball with Getafe's goalkeeper Jordi Codina during their La Liga match on Nov. 7, 2010 at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez in Getafe, near Madrid, Spain.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after scoring against Real Madrid during their semifinal, 1st leg Champions League soccer match on April 27, 2011 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi reacts after scoring against Osasuna during their La Liga match on Sept. 17, 2011 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

2012-0421-Lionel-Messi-Pepe-Sergio-Ramos-Fabio-Coentrao.jpg — Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP

Barcelona's Lionel Messi duels for the ball with Real Madrid's Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Fabio Coentrao during their La Liga match on April 21, 2012 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with Gonzalo Higuain after scoring against Ecuador during their World Cup qualifying match on June 2, 2012 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Carlos M. Saavedra for Sports Illustrated

Argentina's Lionel Messi makes a header during an International Friendly against Brazil on June 9, 2012 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Real Madrid during their La Liga match on Oct. 7, 2012 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi smiles during a news conference after receiving his Golden Boot award in recognition for scoring the most goals in Europe's domestic leagues on Oct. 29, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain.

2013-0116-Lionel-Messi-FIFA-World-Player-of-the-Year-awards.jpg — Emilio Morenatti/AP

Barcelona's Lionel Messi poses with his four FIFA Men's World Player of the Year awards before a Copa del Rey match against Malaga on Jan. 16, 2013 at the Camp Nou stadium, in Barcelona, Spain. Messi received the award for a record-breaking fourth successive year.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi kicks the ball during their La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano on March 17, 2013 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring the opening goal during their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match against Paris Saint-Germain on April 2, 2013 at Parc des Princes in Paris, France.

2013-0519-Lionel-Messi-son-Thiago-Spanish-League-trophy.jpg — David Ramos/Getty Images

Barcelona's Lionel Messi holds his son Thiago as they sit next to the trophy after winning the La Liga match against Real Valladolid on May 19, 2013 at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi plays the ball during their La Liga match against Espanyol on March 29, 2014 at Cornella-El Prat stadium in Cornella de Llobregat, Spain.

Argentina's Lionel Messi appears on the June 9, 2014 cover of the World Cup Preview Issue of Sports Illustrated.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup Group F match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 15, 2014 at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates Angel di Maria and Marcos Rojo after scoring their first goal during the FIFA World Cup Group F match against Nigeria on June 25, 2014 at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Belgium's Vincent Kompany and Argentina's Lionel Messi fight for the ball during the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match on July 5, 2014 at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores his team's fourth goal during the La Liga match against Granada CF on Sept. 27, 2014 at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the La Liga match against Sevilla FC on Nov. 22, 2014 at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

Alexander Hassenstein/FIFA via Getty Images

FIFA Ballon d'Or nominee Lionel Messi poses for a portrait prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala on Jan. 12, 2015 at the Park Hyatt hotel in Zurich, Switzerland.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi attempts a bicycle kick against Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi during their La Liga match on April 18, 2015 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi plays with his son Thiago after the La Liga match against Deportivo La Coruna on May 23, 2015 at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi kisses the trophy after the Champions League final match victory over Juventus F.C. on June 6, 2015 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany.

Argentina's Lionel Messi kicks the ball during their Copa America semifinal match against Paraguay on June 30, 2015 at the Estadio Municipal de Concepcion in Chile.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores his side's second goal past Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny during their Group E Champions League match on Nov. 24, 2015 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

Messi poses for his second Sports Illustrated cover prior to the 2016 Copa America Centenario in the United States.

Messi jumps into the stands at Camp Nou to celebrate Barcelona's miracle comeback against PSG in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 on March 8, 2017.

Messi shows off the back of his jersey to Real Madrid fans who witnessed his last-second winner for Barcelona in a riveting Clasico at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 23, 2017.

Meantime, the best way to permanently ingratiate himself into the hearts of his countrymen was to end a drought that extends back to the 1993 Copa América and has lasted through seven lost finals. The pressure was personal, and it increased with each missed opportunity. Sunday seemed to be the last best chance. La Albiceleste were in fantastic form, winning their first five Copa games by an 18-2 margin.

“We arrive in amazing form,” Messi said before the final.

But Chile had stifled him last year in Santiago, and they did it again in the Meadowlands. Argentina was unable to capitalize when Chile defender Marcelo Díaz was ejected following his second yellow card in the 28th minute (Messi drew both fouls). It was then reduced to 10 men as well when Marcos Rojo was sent off in the 43rd. Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuaín, who missed clear chances in each of the past two finals, botched a 21st-minute breakaway and in the 100th, Agüero nearly scored on a looping header that goalie Claudio Bravo tipped over the crossbar.

WATCH: Full highlights of Chile's Copa America final win

Argentina took 18 shots to Chile’s four. It’s not hard to imagine how Messi has come to the conclusion that it’s just not meant to be. There have been 450 minutes of action across the four finals he’s played with Argentina, and he and his team have been shut out. There have been no goals, no trophies and no relief from the burden.

"This is the worst locker room I've ever been in, worse than after the final in the World Cup in Brazil and the other Copa América,” Agüero said, adding that other players were contemplating international retirement as well.

Argentina, the No. 1-ranked team in the world, doesn’t have another game scheduled until it resumes World Cup qualifying in early September. There’s plenty of time for some of that misery to fade. There also will be a chance to address the political, financial and organization issues at the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino, which go much deeper than the delayed flights Messi complained about last week.

FIFA assumed temporary control of the national governing body on Friday after president Luis Segura was charged with fraud. La Albiceleste hasn’t been entirely insulated from the chaos, and there’s little doubt it’s contributed to Messi’s frustration. Nevetheless, it remains almost impossible to imagine that he won’t take the field in Russia in 2018.

Goalie Sergio Romero said Sunday that he thought his captain “spoke in the heat of the moment.”

MORE: Copa final referee steals the spotlight

Coach Gerardo Martino, perhaps with knowledge of Messi’s feelings, said in the postgame press conference, “Really its not easy to explain. because there are situations that you can explain football-wise and there are other situations that can be explained if you are talking about our luck … They know that football presents these kinds of situations and they’ve got to carry forward because … they represent the national team and they feel pride wearing this jersey and it’s there that they find the will to really hope again.”

It’s tough to tell whether Messi loves his country more than it loves him, and there was a hint of martyrdom in his words on Sunday. He can’t bear the thought of disappointing his compatriots again, so it’s better to step away. He won’t bring them joy by doing so either, of course, so for now his intentional future remains uncertain.

What’s definitive is that soccer brought him to tears here in New Jersey, and for perhaps the first time in his life, he imagined stepping away from the game he adores.

Published Jun 27, 2016

BRIAN STRAUS

A lifelong soccer player, coach and fan, Brian Straus joined SI in 2013 after covering the sport for The Washington Post, AOL and Sporting News.