EAST RUTHERFORD (United States): In a shock decision, Lionel Messi announced on Sunday night he was abandoning the nati­onal team barely two years before the 2018 World Cup.

If Messi sticks to his decision, made in frustration shortly after Argentina’s penalty shootout loss to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final, Argentina will be left dwelling on the fact that it was not able to win any significant title despite having one of the best players of all times.

Messi left the pitch in tears having missed a penalty in Argentina’s 4-2 loss in the shootout. It was the fourth time he had lost the final of a big tournament for Argentina.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2016