Chile wins Copa America, Messi leaving national team after PK miss

Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after losing 4-2 to Chile in penalty kicks during the Copa America Centenario championship soccer match, Sunday, June 26, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after losing 4-2 to Chile in penalty kicks during the Copa America Centenario championship soccer match, Sunday, June 26, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The Chilean national team celebrated its second straight Copa America title just a few feet away from a dejected Lionel Messi. The Argentinian striker missed his penalty kick en route to Chile’s 4-2 shootout victory after 120 minutes of scoreless play.

It was the third straight loss for Argentina in the final of a major tournament and the heartbreak was apparently enough to force Messi into retirement from international play. The 29-year-old told reporters in Spanish after the match that “the national team is over for me. It’s not for me after four finals.”

Despite his distinction as one of the best in the world, Messi has yet to win a major tournament for Argentina. Sunday’s final was the second time in as many years that Argentina lost to Chile in the Copa America final on penalty kicks.

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email