This is not the age to retire for anybody. Twenty nine years old, Argentina’s star footballer Lionel Messi shocked the soccer world by his decision to quit international football after a defeat to Chile at Copa America where he himself missed a penalty in the shoot-out after the finals ended in a goalless draw. Perhaps one of the finest players the world of soccer has ever witnessed, Lionel Messi’s dream of an International title for his country remained unfulfilled as he always was on the losing side of a major final while playing for his country. Argentina lost to Germany in the last world cup in 2014 though he was the player of the tournament.
Lionel Messi though was part of the 2008 Olympic Gold medal team which was one sunshine moment of his career playing in national jersey for Argentina who would miss their star player for ever as the vacuum created by his retirement would be impossible to fill. However, Messi would continue to play for his famed club Barcelona which means his fans could still watch the Messi’s magic for some more years to come.
It would be a mourning time for the soccer crazy Argentina and I suppose all his countrymen should through a referendum request Lionel Messi to reconsider his decision to quit in the larger interest of their country.
S N Kabra
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
