Feature Copa America Centenario is Messi’s Last International Tournament for Argentina, but is he Truly to Blame? by Jayson Love June 27, 2016 (Photo by Rob Samuels – Double G Media) East Rutherford, NJ – After Argentina lost its second consecutive Copa America final to Chile, and the major trophy drought that has plagued the country since 1993 continued, Lionel Messi had enough. The Argentine superstar whom many refer to as the best player in the world, has been a part of the senior team since he was 18 in 2005, and has never won a major trophy for his country with the senior club. He’s been a part of a senior team that lost the World Cup final to Germany in 2014, and has finished runners up in 3 of the last 4 Copa Americas. In a statement after the match, Messi said, “That is it, I fought hard, this is the fourth final I couldn’t win, I would like to win for the national team more than anybody, but I think it’s not for me”. His words speak volumes – mainly how often he uses the word “I”. And it is obvious, this man feels the weight of the world on his shoulders every time Argentina is in position to win a major title. The usual free-flowing movement of Lionel Messi was replaced with getting knocked off his feet, crying for fouls, and putting himself in positions away from the Chilean goal. The pressure was never more evident than in PKs. After Chile’s opening miss seemed to open the door for Argentina, Lionel Messi’s attempt flew high above the goal never troubling Chile’s Claudio Bravo in net. His head sunk, knowing he may have cost his squad any chance at winning the Copa America. However, while tempting to brand Messi a loser, a big fish in a small pond when he plays for Barcelona, and THE reason Argentina has not one a trophy, it is not completely fair. And although Messi is/was Argentina’s best player, he certainly isn’t completely at fault. For one, the Argentina federation is to blame for allowing an atmosphere where it falls on one man to win cups, and I haven’t even metioned Gonzalo Higuaín and his massive miss at the Meadowlands this year, and in Chile last year. Not to place the blame solely on Higuaín but the squad as a whole bullies its opponents in non-finals, but goes 240 minutes without a goal against Chile over 2 finals. It is too much pressure for one man to bear, and it is obvious that in finals, Messi cannot play his best, but neither can his teammates. Post Views: 1,389 The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest Posts Jayson Love Jayson is a Staff Writer for DoubleGSports.com Latest posts by Jayson Love (see all) Red Bulls Forced to Go with Make Shift Lineup Due to International Callups and Injury, Win 3-0 - March 25, 2018 The United States National Team Doesn’t Develop Young Talent? Don’t blame the Red Bulls - March 21, 2018 Red Bulls Make History with Champions League Win at Tijuana, Bradley Wright-Phillips Scores a Brace - March 7, 2018 New York Red Bulls Are New Look Red Bulls as 2018 Season Approaches - February 21, 2018 Related Topics#ARGvCHIArgentinaCOPA AmericaMessiSoccer Click to comment You must be logged in to post a comment Login Leave a Reply Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment. Newsletter Subscription Can't Miss Posts! Women in Sports: NHL Network Host, Jackie Redmond by Nicholas Durst | posted on March 4, 2019 Lochte, Dressel and Ledecky all Chasing Gold at 2021 Tokyo Olympics by Anthony Paradiso | posted on April 18, 2021 You Know I’m Right, Episode 109: The Athletic’s Marc Carig (Audio/Video) by Nicholas Durst | posted on April 19, 2021 Michael Jordan Could Change the Future of Nascar for the Better by Inesh Chari | posted on March 30, 2021 WNBA Rolling Out Red Carpet For Upcoming 25th Anniversary Season by Jason Cordner | posted on March 16, 2021 More in Feature You Know I’m Right, Episode 113: New York Post Columnist Phil Mushnick (Audio/Video) On the 113th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... You Know I’m Right, Episode 112: New York Jets’ Insider Brian Costello (Audio/Video) On the 112th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... You Know I’m Right, Episode 111: New York Giants’ Insider John Schmeelk (Audio/Video) On the 111th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... You Know I’m Right, Episode 109: The Athletic’s Marc Carig (Audio/Video) On the 109th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... Ring of Honor’s Jay Lethal: The best World Champion in Pro Wrestling today PHOTOS: Phil Simms North-South High School Football All-Star Classic