Spanish football expert Guillem Balague examines Lionel Messi's Argentina retirement
"A lot of Argentinians do but there are a bunch of very noisy ones that have, to some extent, made his life hell when he is in Argentina. They believe he is not Argentinian enough, that he doesn't try hard enough for the team and that he doesn't play the same as he does for Barcelona, despite that being obvious because he doesn't have the same level of players around him. That has been eroding his love of playing for the national side in a way," Guillem Balague, Spanish football expert & columnist
Agencies
Barcelona
Spanish football expert and columnist Guillem Balague examins Lionel Messi's Argentina retirement as the world of football reacts to the star footballer's shock decision soon after losing the Copa America final to Chile 4-2 on penalties in New Jersey.
In fact, the Copa final defeat was Argentina's third in a major tournament final since 2014 which proved too much for Messi to handle as he called time on his international career just two days after his 29th birthday.
Well then, why doesn't Argentina appreciate Lionel Messi as much as the rest of world football?. Balague admits he was surprised to hear Lionel Messi announce his retirement from international football.
"A lot of Argentinians do but there are a bunch of very noisy ones that have, to some extent, made his life hell when he is in Argentina. They believe he is not Argentinian enough, that he doesn't try hard enough for the team and that he doesn't play the same as he does for Barcelona, despite that being obvious because he doesn't have the same level of players around him. That has been eroding his love of playing for the national side in a way," says Balague.
"I have the impression that he would have taken this decision, a decision which has taken everyone by surprise, no matter what, although he would have hoped to have done so with a win. Five consecutive victories in the Copa America but falling at the final hurdle again for the third consecutive time was very hurtful; we saw him crying and then the decision was announced. I do feel that at 29 years old, he probably thought that was it for him anyway," the Spanish expert was quoted as saying on his analysis on Sky Sports.
Messi missed Argentina's first penalty during the finals loss.
Balague adds:"We know how passionate people are about football in Argentina but the kind of accusations directed towards Messi were ridiculous. He was whistled sometimes and you could hear people say: 'You're not like Diego Maradona' and 'If we paid you in Euros, perhaps you would play better'."
Messi was close to quitting the national side in 2011 due to the level of abuse he received after Argentina were eliminated from the Copa America in the quarter-finals.
"As you well know, having followed Spanish football for a number of years, Messi lives in Argentina and goes to train in Barcelona. Everything around him is Argentinian; television, supermarkets and restaurants - he feels more Argentinian than ever and he hasn't lost the accent. But he hasn't helped his side get to the level he wanted and he feels that's enough," says Balague.
Messi's exit could trigger more retirements? Are other players considering their international careers?, are questions that could send shivers down the spine of Argentinian football. "Messi won't be the only famous Argentinian player to leave this team. It looks like Gonzalo Higuain is thinking about it, Sergio Aguero has said Messi may not be the only one leaving and Javier Mascherano may leave as well. There is a bunch of players - the hardcore of the team - that has taken Argentina to a golden age of being in three consecutive finals - 2014 World Cup and consecutive Copa America finals."
Even though they fell at the final hurdle and lost on penalties on Sunday, they just feel they've given enough to the side, that perhaps they're not appreciated enough or that perhaps the federation is not professional enough - Aguero and Messi criticised some of the travel arrangements. All in all, it is perhaps too much for people who are peaking in their 30s and perhaps they want to keep themselves physically fit for club football.
