Messi Says "The National Team is Over for Me," Appears to Quit International Play After Copa America Loss

Messi: "The national team is over for me. It's not for me after 4 finals. The decision is taken, I believe." https://t.co/AaK94pq9xG
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) June 27, 2016

After a loss in the finals of the Copa America against Chile—their second to the same team in two years—and missing a crucial penalty kick after overtime, Argentina's captain Lionel Messi has made a bold statement to the press, claiming that, "the national team is over for me. It's not for me after four finals. The decision is made, I believe."

Did Leo Messi just announce his retirement from the Argentine National Soccer team? https://t.co/IvOoBNwmG9
— Joshua Hoyos (@JoshuaHoyos) June 27, 2016

It certainly must have been a devastating decision for Messi at the time, who has suffered not only two Copa America losses in a year (both at the hand of penalties to Chile), but second place at the World Cup in 2014 against Germany, and the Copa America against Brazil in 2007. But now, that devastation is felt the world over, who recognize Messi as maybe its best player ever. His mood after the loss certainly painted a portrait of despair.

But it's harsh words, steeped in the feeling of the moment. Hard to tell if it will blow over or not. But the (potentially former) Argentine captain is clearly sending a message: his time as Argentina's promised star is waning.