Messi becomes merciless: a boy's point of view.


       
       Its being three days since Lionel Messi arguable
the best player yet ( though Ronaldo might dispute that) retired from international football. In recognition of his greatness we look at some of his international career highs and lows.
   

        2016 Copa America Centenario: In Argentina's 4-2 loss to Chile on penalties in the Copa America final on Sunday, June26, Lionel Messi failed to score from the 'spot' in the shoot-out, extending Argentina's trophy drought to 23 years. A five-time World Player of the Year, he missed Argentina's opening penalty in the shoot-out after the scores were 0-0 even after extra-time. He was in tears while sitting in the team dugout during the presentation ceremony.
 
        Playing in his second Copa America final for Argentina in Chile against the host nation in 2015, Messi was an uninspired avatar of his otherwisefocused self.With Messi uninspired and Alexis Sanchez faltering, the teams attempted just 19 shots between them -- less than all but one of the Copa America finals contested since 1993.Higuain came closest to breaking the stalemate for Argentina in the last minuteof regulation time. Messi sent Ezequiel Lavezzi through on the left and he crossed to Higuain at the far post but the striker could only put the ball in the side netting.Sanchez had one great chance to steal the game for Chile in extra-time but blazed over with just the goalkeeper to beat. The match was forced into a penalty shoot-out and that proved unfortunate forArgentina and Messi.

At the 2014 FIFA World Cup Higuin was presented with two golden opportunities to put Argentina in front but was again wasteful in front of goal, as the German Coach Low brought on Mario Gotze who produe and exceptional goal to beat the exceptional Sergio Romero in extra time as Argentina lost. Argentina were given a free kick but Messi couldnt produce his exceptional brilliance. 

       He Led Argentina to the 2008 Olympic gold: Lionel Messi’s participation at the 2008 Olympics was in doubt because Barcelona had refused to release him. But after striking a late deal with the club,the Argentine forward came up with inspired performances to take his team through.Messi scored twice in the tournament -- against Ivory Coast in the group stage and the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.Argentina beat Nigeria 1-0 to win gold at the Olympics. Messi proved the pivotal influence -- his sharp assist engineered a goal from Angel di Maria for a gold-medalfinish. 


        He Surpassed the 54-goal record set by Batistuta: broke the goal-scoring record set by Gabriel Batistuta (54 goals) when he scored in the Albiceleste’s 4-0 win overthe United States in the Copa America semi-finals on June 22, 2016.He curled in a sensational free-kick past Brad Guzan after 32 minutes to put Argentina 2-0 ahead and score his 55th goal in Argentina colours."I am happy to have surpassed Batistuta'srecord and I want to thank my team mates, it's theirs as well," Messi had said on scripting history.

      Under-20 World Cup title triumph: Messi Led Argentina to the title at the 2005 World Youth Championship, scoring two penalties in a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final.He won the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot for his scintillating performance after being left on the bench in the tournament opener against USA. 


         That said he might still reconsider his decision to retire and one day dazzle us with his footballing brilliance and skill to win a trophy with Argentina, you never know it might just be the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. All that being said an International match not featuring Messi is not worth watching.laying in his second Copa America final for Argentina in Chile against the host nation in 2015, Messi was an uninspired avatar of his otherwise focused self. With Messi uninspired and Alexis Sanchezfaltering, the teams attempted just 19 shots between them -- less than all but one of the Copa America finals contested since 1993.Higuain came closest to breaking the stalemate for Argentina in the last minute of regulation time.


         Messi sent Ezequiel Lavezzi through on the left and he crossed to Higuain at the far post but the striker could only put the ball in the side netting. Sanchez had one great chance to steal the game for Chile in extra-time but blazed over with just the goalkeeper to beat. The match was forced into a penalty shoot-out and that proved unfortunate for Argentina and Messi. 

         
           He again Led Argentina to the 2008 Olympic gold: lionel Messi’s participation at the 2008 Olympics was in doubt because Barcelona had refu 2014 FIFA World Cup Higuin was presented with two golden opportunities to put Argentina in front but was again wasteful in front of goal, as the German Coach Low brought on Mario Gotze who produce and exceptional goal to beat the exceptional Sergio Romero in extra time as Argentina lost. Argentina were given a free kick but Messi couldn't produce his exceptional brilliance. sed to release him. But after striking a late deal with the club,the Argentine forward came up with inspired performances to take his team through. Messi scored twice in the tournament against Ivory Coast in the group stage and the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
   

     Argentina beat Nigeria 1-0 to win gold at the Olympics. Messi proved the pivotal influence his sharp assist engineered a goal from Angel di Maria for a gold-medal finish.
     
             All that being said an International match not featuring Messi is not worth watching. This article was written by David ogunkoya. 

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