Why Lionel Messi should not give up so quickly on Argentina

“For me, the national team is over. I've done all I can, I've been in four finals and it hurts not to be a champion.”

These were part of Lionel Messi's retirement speech moments after he failed to slot a penalty shootout home, which was largely responsible for Argentina finishing second best to Chile yet again in the Copa America final.

Messi grabs headlines like no sportsperson does. His retirement decision overshadowed Chile's second successive Copa America title, beating Argentina in the final both times on penalty shootout. His shocking announcement even put to shade the ongoing Euro 2016 that saw Belgium's Eden Hazard's heroics against Hungary on Sunday night.

The 29-year-old Argentine may have given a deep thought before making public that the Copa final was his last in an Argentina jersey. It could be that he may have taken the decision in haste after not being able to win a major title for Argentina. It could also be that missing a rare penalty shootout weighed heavily into making his 'For-me-the-national-team-is-over' statement.

But in doing so, Messi has, in a way, not set the right example for the younger generation. He is a role model for not just young Argentines but for millions and millions across continents. From the streets of Buenos Aires to the gullies of Bandra, Messi is revered.

It is often said that one should not give up till he succeeds. After just four unsuccessful attempts at major trophies for Argentina, he is hurt to not be a champion. He would have been graceful had he taken it upon himself to guide Argentina to glory in the coming years. Messi is only 29 and age is certainly on his side. Giving up is certainly not the way. Not in any field, and certainly not when you are in the public eye and every action you do is copied by millions the world over.

And, Messi deserves to retire on a high, not in this manner.

It is uncommon for sportspersons to retire before 30. And, it is not as if Messi is past his prime. Who knows, his better days were ahead of him. He certainly could have given it a shot in at least the next World Cup, if not the next two. It is not as if there are packed international schedule ahead for footballers, unlike the cricketers who complain of burnout. More packed is their club football once the season gets under way.

On Sunday night in New Jersey, none expected Messi to miss the penalty shootout. Especially after scoring one classic goal too many over the years, producing magic with his left foot and finding the back of the net from various angles. With the empty net in front of him and just his Barcelona mate Claudio Bravo to pierce through, the entire world would have thought it was a cake walk.

But Messi missing it just went on to show that sport is a great leveller. No matter whatever you may have achieved, it just requires one bad moment or luck to bring you down. Messi is not the first to experience this. It has happened to the greatest of cricketers, athletes, tennis players, and many others in various other disciplines. To cite an example, Don Bradman, the owner of every batting record in the first half of the 20th century, needed just four runs to have a perfect average of 100 in Test cricket. The Australian was bowled for nought in his last Test innings to finish with a career average of 99.94.

For all you know, Messi may reverse his decision and surprise the world ahead of 2018 World Cup qualifiers. He knows that he cannot abandon the rocking Argentine ship midway and that he has to guide the fortunes of his national team if they are to be a force to reckon with.

Argentine football needs him. World football needs him. And, he can certainly set a far better example than giving up in this fashion.