Figured this deserved it's own thread. In his post game press conference Messi says he will no longer play for Argentina. I'd assume he's going to reconsider at such a young age.
| @br_uk: Lionel Messi says on Argentine television that he’s quitting Argentina following their #CopaAmerica loss. |
And there is the sense that Messi's teammates shrink a bit in his presence and just assume that he'll do something incredible to save them. Both in 2014 and again today you saw him utterly isolated.
And like in 2014 he'll eat an enormous amount of shit for today while Gonzalo Higuain gets away with blowing a one on one with the keeper again in a final.
It's possible that international football actually isn't for him, because they haven't been able to make it work.
I'm not even sure what that means. He doesn't like losing in international football?
Something about today's athletes...needing to have the best possible scenario to win, Soccer players like Messi quitting because they fail.....kinda shameful.
There's a lot more going on here than meets the eye. Remember Messi and the argentine FA have been on terrible terms for years.l and he complained a lot about them during the tournament. Some of the other players must have felt the same way
It has to be taxing with regular league games and then all the internationals and tournaments..
Something about today's athletes...needing to have the best possible scenario to win, Soccer players like Messi quitting because they fail.....kinda shameful.
It's disheartening to see players refuse to go to a club because it's not in the CL or has no chance to win. It seems that too often players migrate up to the big clubs and disappear ala Raheem Sterling.
he seems to have an ego problem. Thats the reason why i respect Ronaldo more. Ronaldo is a douche but he is what he is. He plays for Portugal, who has no one, and he always carries the team on his back.
Messi doesnt need to carry his team but never shows up at the final game. And now quits because he cant deliver. bullshit dude.
Something about today's athletes...needing to have the best possible scenario to win, Soccer players like Messi quitting because they fail.....kinda shameful.
I agree and this is somewhat of a black eye on the sport, hopefully it blows over. But its my main concern with pro athletes these days and why overall I just don't become as invested as I used to. Such privileged sniveling babies at times and its really hard to care after a while.
I'd be absolutely livid if say Clint Dempsey did this, unforgivable actually.
I have lost respect for him with this quitting thing.
Don't get into a debate between Messi and Ronaldo. Two entirely different players, people and backgrounds.
I suspect this is a move to eliminate the current AFA leadership and once new people are installed all those guys will return.
Heres your green card
If Ronaldo did the same thing all the talk would be about him being selfish & only caring about himself blah blah blah.
It's 3 straight Finals where Messi really hasn't shown up. Two of them with a far superior team. Yes Higuian had his chances, but he's not one of the top 2 players in the world. They needed more from Messi in the last 3 Finals. Not to mention that horrendous PK which is just as bad as the Higuian miss IMO.
Don't get into a debate between Messi and Ronaldo. Two entirely different players, people and backgrounds.
But it was his fault he missed a PK. I can't remember that ever happening. I agree with Rick in FL, suck it up and get back on the field. He is supposed to be the leader. This comes over as self-centered whining.
https://twitter.com/JuanG_Arango/status/747299545155985409 - ( New Window )
I wonder if they'd be doing this if they made their penalty kicks.
This isn't about one player "taking his ball and going home" as some are suggesting here. It's about the team feeling let down by their federation and responding the only way they can - no play until there is some change.
And Messi said all along that this was coming after the tournament. He wouldn't talk about it until the Final was over. I expect more details about their unhappiness to emerge shortly.
THIS. It's not about Messi "missing a PK" or losing in the final, it's about the treatment he and other members of the team receive from the AFA AND the Argentinean fans. They put the weight of an entire nation on their shoulders, Messi specifically, and then criticize him to no end. They are the definition of bandwagon fans, if he wins and performs well, he is god, otherwise "go back to Spain". He has been dealing with this criticism from Argentina for 10+ years, can you blame him for finally feeling like enough is enough? His emotion last night says it all.
The politicians and executives who run the AFA are currently under indictment and FIFA has recently stepped in to take control of the federation. For decades, the players and clubs have lined the pockets of these people while the players are shipped all over the world to continue the cycle of corruption. I'm surprised it has taken this long for the players to "revolt".
How would you feel if you are treated to shitty travel, hotels and food while the members of your federation are living like kings on the road?
As mentioned above, FIFA had to step in and take control and monitor the AFA for their irregularities as the AFA President has been charged with fraud.
AFA elections had to be suspended and Argentina almost pulled out of the Copa because of the issues going on with its governing body.
This has absolutely nothing to do with Messi and other stars needing to be in a winning situation in order to keep playing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm0Wrz9vhLc - ( New Window )
This isn't about one player "taking his ball and going home" as some are suggesting here. It's about the team feeling let down by their federation and responding the only way they can - no play until there is some change.
And Messi said all along that this was coming after the tournament. He wouldn't talk about it until the Final was over. I expect more details about their unhappiness to emerge shortly.
I'm not buying any of this? Not a drop.
If this was really about being put up in crappy hotels, he wouldn't have made some emotional quitter speech in the locker room following a crushing loss (choke?)
He would've taken a day or two so that the claim would seem valid. Additionally, the team itself would've done it with him. If it was about the way the team was treated, why are they all just following Messi now in the wake of his quitting?
This is going to be one of those temper tantrums that gets branded as a protest because they can't turn back now. I don't deny that they got skimped by the AFA. I have no idea one way or another. But if they made their penalty kicks, I hardly think this is the way the dialogue would be going.
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I haven't read up on that but really? Their meals and travel weren't gold standard? Give me a break (not you).
The politicians and executives who run the AFA are currently under indictment and FIFA has recently stepped in to take control of the federation. For decades, the players and clubs have lined the pockets of these people while the players are shipped all over the world to continue the cycle of corruption. I'm surprised it has taken this long for the players to "revolt".
How would you feel if you are treated to shitty travel, hotels and food while the members of your federation are living like kings on the road?
Sounds a lot worse than it is, I suspect. No doubt there's corruption all over the global soccer landscape, but I can't picture Messi eating a microwave dinner at a Motel 6 while the execs enjoy Champagne and Caviar at the Four Seasons. The latter is probably accurate, but not the former.
I hope something good comes of his stance on this. But I'm not going to feel bad for a guy making over 50 million euros a year.
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In comment 13010799 UConn4523 said:
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I haven't read up on that but really? Their meals and travel weren't gold standard? Give me a break (not you).
The politicians and executives who run the AFA are currently under indictment and FIFA has recently stepped in to take control of the federation. For decades, the players and clubs have lined the pockets of these people while the players are shipped all over the world to continue the cycle of corruption. I'm surprised it has taken this long for the players to "revolt".
How would you feel if you are treated to shitty travel, hotels and food while the members of your federation are living like kings on the road?
Sounds a lot worse than it is, I suspect. No doubt there's corruption all over the global soccer landscape, but I can't picture Messi eating a microwave dinner at a Motel 6 while the execs enjoy Champagne and Caviar at the Four Seasons. The latter is probably accurate, but not the former.
I hope something good comes of his stance on this. But I'm not going to feel bad for a guy making over 50 million euros a year.
Uconn - certainly they weren't staying in Motel 6's. I'm sure the hotels were fine. The food? The travel? Etc? I don't know. But something was amiss when a seemingly humble guy like Messi begins mentioning this stuff as a big issue. He mentioned a few days ago that he'd come out with a statement following the tournament detailing everything. It'll be interesting to see what he says for sure.
As mentioned, I don't challenge the ongoings here. I think the timing combined with last night's result is turning this into a frenzy. I don't debate the merits of the protest, I question the motive behind it's beginnings.
I'm not asking you to argue.
Asked if he were retiring, the 29-year old said, "I tried my hardest. It's been four finals, and I was not able to win. I tried everything possible. It hurts me more than anyone, but it is evident that this is not for me. I want more than anyone to win a title with the national team, but unfortunately, it did not happen."
Messi, who lost the 2014 World Cup final and three Copa America finals while playing for Argentina, was then asked if he would wear his country's shirt again.
"I don't think so," he said. "I've thought about it. Like I said earlier, I tried everything possible to win. And that's it. It's four finals lost."
Now that Messi has gone on record with his intention to end his international career, several of his long-time international colleagues could follow. Sources have told ESPN's Diego Monroig that Sergio Aguero, Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia are also planning to retire. Additionally, Ever Banega, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain are also considering their international futures, according to multiple reports.
This is called a fallout, but let's not confuse it with an uprising.
This. There is simply nothing in American sports that can compare to the pressure a player on a national team from a country like Argentina. This isn't just a game to them....in some cases it's literally a matter of life and death.
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"My thinking right now and thinking about it in the locker room, I'm done playing with the national team," he told a group of reporters, including ESPN's Diego Monroig.
Asked if he were retiring, the 29-year old said, "I tried my hardest. It's been four finals, and I was not able to win. I tried everything possible. It hurts me more than anyone, but it is evident that this is not for me. I want more than anyone to win a title with the national team, but unfortunately, it did not happen."
Messi, who lost the 2014 World Cup final and three Copa America finals while playing for Argentina, was then asked if he would wear his country's shirt again.
"I don't think so," he said. "I've thought about it. Like I said earlier, I tried everything possible to win. And that's it. It's four finals lost."
Now that Messi has gone on record with his intention to end his international career, several of his long-time international colleagues could follow. Sources have told ESPN's Diego Monroig that Sergio Aguero, Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia are also planning to retire. Additionally, Ever Banega, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain are also considering their international futures, according to multiple reports.
This is called a fallout, but let's not confuse it with an uprising.
How is the possible mass retirement of an entire generation of players, who still are young enough for another World Cup merely a "fallout"? And the distinction between a "fallout" and an "uprising" is an empty one.
Again, nothing (literally nothing) in Messi's locker room comments--the comments that started the domino effect to where we re right now--had to do with anything other than winning or losing.
Once the head hancho hung up his jersey, the rest followed suit as they saw an opportunity.
A win and this simply is not happening.
Again, nothing (literally nothing) in Messi's locker room comments--the comments that started the domino effect to where we re right now--had to do with anything other than winning or losing.
Once the head hancho hung up his jersey, the rest followed suit as they saw an opportunity.
A win and this simply is not happening.
It is perfectly possible that the retirement was a long time coming, especially as a protest against the AFA, and that only the timing of the announcement was affected by the outcome of the game. Messi has also been a very smooth operator PR wise throughout his career. Retiring after losing the game and immediately blaming the AFA would have made the already shitty treatment he receives from Argentinian fans that much worse.
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My distinction is this all reeks of reactionary nonsense that would not be occurring if Argentina won.
Again, nothing (literally nothing) in Messi's locker room comments--the comments that started the domino effect to where we re right now--had to do with anything other than winning or losing.
Once the head hancho hung up his jersey, the rest followed suit as they saw an opportunity.
A win and this simply is not happening.
It is perfectly possible that the retirement was a long time coming, especially as a protest against the AFA, and that only the timing of the announcement was affected by the outcome of the game. Messi has also been a very smooth operator PR wise throughout his career. Retiring after losing the game and immediately blaming the AFA would have made the already shitty treatment he receives from Argentinian fans that much worse.
Maybe, but from my perspective, it just doesn't sound very wholesome and doesn't sound like it's about not being treated right. Doing this moments after a devastating loss (without mentioning the AFA at all!) just seems like sour grapes.
To each his own. I think the way the best player quit (without mentioning ANY AFA issues) and then his teammates started following comes off as not some protest to the AFA, but, well.... sour grapes. I don't think it's that crazy a take.
Sorry to harp on that one point, but I think it's the only one that matters. Messi didn't mention anything other than winning and losing, and now it seems the futbol world is just trying to fill in the blanks. I agree the rest of the team is staging a protest, but I'm simply saying is this is not a story of Argentina wins.
Argentinian players have been complaining about the AFA for a while.
In fact, Messi just called the AFA a nightmare a few days ago, and yet had to walk back the comments because of reactions to it. It is no surprise that he didn't mention the AFA last night.
Is there frustration in the recent losing? Of course. But you are ignoring the underlying climate in Argentinian soccer with how assure you are that this is only about sour grapes.
Argentinian players have been complaining about the AFA for a while.
In fact, Messi just called the AFA a nightmare a few days ago, and yet had to walk back the comments because of reactions to it. It is no surprise that he didn't mention the AFA last night.
Is there frustration in the recent losing? Of course. But you are ignoring the underlying climate in Argentinian soccer with how assure you are that this is only about sour grapes.
You're right, and B is right that it's perhaps a futile argument.
But we're all entitled to our opinion. Mine is this. If he mentioned the AFA in his postgame comments, I'd of course feel differently.
a) be unbelievably corrupt
b) forgot to pass along their vig to the FIFA officials