Messi quits International football

Lionel Messi has decided to quit his national team after last night’s defeat in the Copa America tournament.

The forward missed a penalty in the Copa America Centenario final shoot-out against Chile as his team lost their third final in three years.

Messi, who was in tears after the match, spoke after the game to Argentine television and explained his decision.

“That’s it. It’s over for me with the national team,” he explained.

“It’s not for me. That’s four finals. The decision has been made, I think so. [Winning] is what I wanted most. It didn’t come. I think that’s it. That’s how I feel now, what I think. It’s a great sadness. It hurts not to be a champion.”