In what is one of the darkest days in Argentina soccer history, Twitter reacted to Lionel Messi’s shocking retirement from the national team.
The soccer world was shook up when Lionel Messi retired from the Argentina national team in the wake of their Copa America Centenario loss. That loss was just one of three straight finals that Argentina have been a part of, while Messi also lost a fourth back in the 2007 Copa America to Brazil.
This is very much considered the golden generation of Argentina football, yet without a trophy, it’s been wasted. But just because Messi hasn’t won at the international level, that shouldn’t tarnish his legacy. He’s won countless individual and team awards at the club level, including five Ballon d’Ors and four Champions Leagues. He also remains Argentina’s leading scorer, but four Finals losses might mean he won’t be considered the greatest player of all-time.
Since Twitter can hardly ever come to a consensus, opinion was very much divided over his retirement:
Careers can't be judged on international success alone. Stephane Guivarc'h won World Cup - doesn't make him better than #Messi. #Maradona
— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) June 27, 2016
Lionel Messi seems to be getting off pretty lightly for retiring from international duty at 29. Diva-like. I wonder if that was Ronaldo ☕️🐸
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) June 27, 2016
Wake up this morning to hear that Messi retires from international duty.. pic.twitter.com/JZPKfogL2N
— The F2 (@TheF2) June 27, 2016
If you're asking me whether Messi plays in World Cup 2018, I suspect the answer is yes.
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) June 27, 2016
Anybody trolling Messi needs to have a word with themselves. Every world class player misses penalties. If you love football you love Messi.
— David Copeland Smith (@BeastModeSoccer) June 27, 2016
Lionel Messi retires. Take a bow Champ! You were the greatest of this generation. Respect 👊 @ShoutGamers @DNR_CREW pic.twitter.com/80kT5T7voT
— Luke (@Lukinat0rr) June 27, 2016
Lionel #Messi weighed down by the burden of a nationhttps://t.co/SIiokRMuBf@ImamShamil @dwnews #MessiRetirement pic.twitter.com/BcZDV2KjPe
— Shamil (@ImamShamil) June 27, 2016
Lionel Messi feeling Steph Curry feelings #ARG
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 27, 2016
It’s not like Messi is no longer in his prime. Philipp Lahm retired from the national team at a pretty young age, 30, but it was after he cemented his legacy with a World Cup win. But there’s still plenty of time for Messi to win a trophy, and if he does, perhaps people will be willing to forgive his past failures at the international level.
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