As a penalty
was skied over the Chilean goal, the hopes of a nation, waited for
bated breath, with hope that their nightmare that seemed to loom
heavy over the Met Life Stadium, would not come to pass. In Goa, many
reacted the same way, glued to their television sets, over breakfast.
Leo Messi, the Argentinian captain, had missed his spot-kick in the
decisive shootout, which Chile went on to win 4-2 and secure a second
Copa crown in two years.
This defeat
meant that Argentina’s 23-year run without a trophy would be
extended, and that Messi himself would notch up four lost finals with
the national side (the 2014 World Cup, and three Copa Américas –
2007, 2015 and 2016).
In the
aftermath of all of this, Messi decided to call time on his
international career, citing that his reasons for doing so were a
continued failure to achieve success with the squad, despite his best
efforts. The news shocked most of Goa, as it did the rest of the
world, with many a football fan aghast that they will not see the
‘little flea’ take to the pitch for his country again.
Café
notes how a young Goa reacts to the news:
Argentina’s
Lionel Messi announced his retirement shortly after the conclusion of
the Copa America Centenario. Argentina losing to Chile once again, in
a repeat of last year’s Copa América final, leaves all football
fans surprised, keeping in mind their performances in all the games
in the competition. Leo Messi is regarded as one of the greatest
players of all time, and is often compared to Argentine legend, Diego
Maradona. His retirement at the age of 29 from international football
has sent massive shockwaves across the footballing world. It is
indeed a huge loss to world football on the whole, as we won’t be
able to see more of his God-gifted talent on the big
stage.
Bosco Fernandes
I’m
not a Messi fan, but from a neutral point of view, I think that he
has set a wrong example for other players by retiring at such an
early age. I know it feels bad to lose three consecutive finals, but
this is the most extreme step one could take. All great players miss
penalties; he is a human being and meant to make mistakes. Argentina
would have more chances of winning silverware in the future if Messi
was with team. I hope that this is just a knee jerk reaction, and
that he will rethink this decision after he calms down. He has always
given 100% while playing for Argentina, and even rejected the chance
to play for Spain for his love of Argentina.
Anjyot Talauliker
