the cups would be ridiculous with all the players kicking around while the world's best by the sidelines. Hope this gets sorted.

There's no way that sticks.. most of the players mentioned will be 30 or just over when the WC comes around. (if they even make it there - if all these players retire, the Argentina national team is a little screwed). This is an emotional reaction after losing 4 finals. Players like Masch or Lavezzi i might understand as they are already over 30, but Messi, Di Maria, Higuain, etc., i dont see it

Lionel Messi is now 0-4 in major finals with Argentina. That doesn't look good on your résumé especially when you are universally recognized as the best player in the world. There's no way in hell Diego Maradona would have allowed that to happen.

It's incredible but the last 3 finals they all lost AET and Higuain blew one big sitter in each. Messi is really too unlucky. I just don't get how Argentina can have the best talents in the world in the entire squad and still bottle it time and time again.

Was half joking after the match that Messi will retire and now I still don't believe he will. Would be a huge shame to international football.

RC8 wrote:

VIVA CHILE MIERDA

This meaningless cup, put in the context of a replay of the previous final, became absolutely massive down here in the South of South America.

Bragging rights were at stake for a generation.

Congrats mate glad you enjoyed it.

They're not actually retiring. You'll see them back for the World Cup.

Yeah, they've bottled 2 Copa finals and lost the WC final but that also means that they should - in theory - have a pretty good chance of at least reaching another final in 2018. No player's going to pass that up.

Imagine if Brazil and Argentina tried to hire actual decent managers for once. Simeone should take the job before Messi retires.

Proof wrote:

Lionel Messi is now 0-4 in major finals with Argentina. That doesn't look good on your résumé especially when you are universally recognized as the best player in the world. There's no way in hell Diego Maradona would have allowed that to happen.

:Facepalm:

Clrnc wrote:

Alexis has been awful. His first touch is worse than Zardes in this game.

How on earth he played 104 minutes after the injury he picked up in the first 5 minutes I'll never know. He was limping every single minute after that injury; the Argentina player really trod heavily on the bottom of Alexis' leg, his ligaments really got stretched badly. That'd put almost everyone except him out of the match right there and then I reckon - yet he was still one of the best players on the pitch, blitzing people in races and with quick turns. He's a warrior. I just really hope he hasn't done some serious damage to his ankle ligaments.

Don't think I've seen Messi look sad/upset before.

But Sanchez

I guess the entire Atletico team should retire too then. What a childish reaction.

It is childish. He's just not used to losing and, to an extent, not used to playing for a team where he doesn't have the heavy advantage in these sorts of games.

Ricky1985 wrote:

Clrnc wrote:

Alexis has been awful. His first touch is worse than Zardes in this game.

How on earth he played 104 minutes after the injury he picked up in the first 5 minutes I'll never know. He was limping every single minute after that injury; the Argentina player really trod heavily on the bottom of Alexis' leg, his ligaments really got stretched badly. That'd put almost everyone except him out of the match right there and then I reckon - yet he was still one of the best players on the pitch, blitzing people in races and with quick turns. He's a warrior. I just really hope he hasn't done some serious damage to his ankle ligaments.

Didn't realised he was injured actually other than at the trophy celebrations where he couldn't even run with the trophy. Explains why his touch was so erratic. Fingers crossed he is healthy at the start of the season, though he really could do with more rest.

Oh god, fingers crossed.

Ricky1985 wrote:

It is childish.

Just culture isn't it. The histrionics are a way of sharing the epic disappointment of the Argentinian fans.

He's partly throwing a strop because he lost and partly because he wants the Argentinian fans to cut him some slack and show him more love. Perhaps even beg him to change his mind about retiring.

Clrnc wrote:

Ricky1985 wrote:

How on earth he played 104 minutes after the injury he picked up in the first 5 minutes I'll never know. He was limping every single minute after that injury; the Argentina player really trod heavily on the bottom of Alexis' leg, his ligaments really got stretched badly. That'd put almost everyone except him out of the match right there and then I reckon - yet he was still one of the best players on the pitch, blitzing people in races and with quick turns. He's a warrior. I just really hope he hasn't done some serious damage to his ankle ligaments.

Didn't realised he was injured actually other than at the trophy celebrations where he couldn't even run with the trophy. Explains why his touch was so erratic. Fingers crossed he is healthy at the start of the season, though he really could do with more rest.

Oh god, fingers crossed.

Yeah, not surrpsied by that picture. It looked really bad at the time and he was fucked thereafter.

He's a proper throwback in terms of his attitude and character. We are very lucky to have him, as are Chile.

Shit! will he be ready for the start of our season?

Depends how bad the ligament damage is but he's got time to rest up so I reckon he'll be fine.

Ricky1985 wrote:

He's partly throwing a strop because he lost and partly because he wants the Argentinian fans to cut him some slack and show him more love. Perhaps even beg him to change his mind about retiring.

Why would the rest of the team retire if it was a personal thing?

Bit much to call it a 'cultural' thing as well.

You know what? If I played with Messi and STILL didn't manage to win, then I would consider retiring too if he called it a day at 29, still comfortably being the best player in the world. I mean, what's the point?