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27.06.2016 Sports News

Lionel Messi: Argentina captain retires after Chile defeat

27.06.2016 LISTEN
By Allsports.com.gh

Lionel Messi, the five-time FIFA World Player of the Year, has announced his retirement from international football after Argentina lost the second Copa America title to Chile in two years.

"For me the national team is over. I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion," the 29-year-old Barcelona superstar told reporters on Sunday after his fourth defeat in a major final with Argentina.

Chile beat Argentina in the final for the second straight year, 4-2 in the penalty shootout following a 0-0 tie that ended an expanded 16-nation edition in the US to mark the championship's 100th anniversary.

Messi and Lucas Biglia missed their shots for Argentina.

It was the third consecutive defeat at a major international tournament for Messi and his teammates after losing out to Chile.

Messi, winner of four Champions League titles and eight Spanish La Liga crowns with Barcelona, was also a member of Argentina's Copa America team that lost to Brazil in 2007.

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