Penalties are Lionel Messi’s Kryptonite.
The 29-year-old has missed more penalties (8) than any other player in Barcelona’s history, and now his profligacy from 12 yards appears to be the final straw for his international career.
Messi missed from the spot in the penalty shoot-out between Argentina and Chile in the final of the Copa America in New Jersey on Sunday night, with the game finishing goalless after 120 minutes. The competition’s holders won the shoot-out 4-2.
The defeat in the final of the world’s oldest continental football competition was a repeat result of last year’s edition, and it means Argentina’s wait for an international title goes on.
The South American powerhouses haven’t won a senior title since 1993.
The defeat also means Argentina have lost three finals in the last three summers, and their captain appears to have had enough.
“For me the national team is over. I’ve done all I can, it hurts not to be a champion,” Messi said.
“It’s been four finals, it’s not meant for me. I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over.”
Messi was also part of the Argentina team that lost to Brazil in the 2007 Copa America final.
Here’s his miss from Sunday’s final, which looks to be his final kick in an Argentina jersey.
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