Lionel Messi international exit understandable

For me, the national team is over. I’ve done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion.

There was something poignant during the Copa America Centenario that seemed to point ominously to this Lionel Messi moment.

Numerous times, more often that he has to at his beloved Barcelona, the Argentina forward found himself running at defenders, taking players on as if he did not believe those around him shared the desperation he felt.

After the World Cup final loss in 2014, the Copa America defeat in 2015 and Sunday’s painful international football epitaph for a man many regard as the greatest to ever kick a football with intent, he had had enough.

It’s been four finals, I tried

Exiting as the countries record goalscorer it won’t be said he didn’t try. The only international success he has had is the 2008 Olympic Games gold medal. Five Ballon D’or titles later and bags of titles with Barcelona, there is only so much one can do.

I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, then for everyone.

There is only so much a soul can take. At 29, it is a pity but it is perfectly understandable. It makes sense. Pete Sampras retired without a French Open title but it took nothing away from his greatness.

So too with the great Leo Messi, a man who has done everything possible and imaginable with a football.

Sadly the last thing he will have done on the international scene(unless he does a Jay Z and returns) is sky one over bar in the penalty shoot out of the Copa America Centenario final. That miss, and his reaction afterwards said everything, in words that meant nothing but a pain we had never seen the little magician show after a loss.

It was just too much, a slap too far.

He is not lost to the footballing world. But Russia 2018 will be poorer without him.