Lionel Messi quits international football: Barcelona star calls time on Argentina career

Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi has retired from international football following Argentina's Copa America defeat to Chile on Sunday.

The 29-year-old put his shootout spot-kick over the bar as Argentina lost a second straight Copa final on penalties.

Both teams were reduced to 10 men in the first half as they played out a goalless draw over 120 minutes at MetLife Stadium, but Lucas Biglia's effort was saved from 12 yards and Francisco Silva dispatched the winner. 

Messi has won four Champions League titles, eight La Liga crowns and countless individual awards at club level, but has only managed World Cup and Copa runners-up medals on the international stage.

"The national team is over for me," he told the Argentine network TyC Sports after Chile beat Argentina for the Copa America title. "It's been four finals, it's not meant for me. I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's over."

Argentina, who also lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final and Brazil in the 2007 Copa final, have now gone 23 years without a major trophy. 

Messi was named Player of the Tournament at the last World Cup and scored a record 55 international goals for the South American nation.