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.

Which Premier League Team will miss Howard Webb the most?

Howard Webb retires as referee after 25 years to become match officials technical director

Many fans shed a tear when Howard Webb retired from refereeing just 10 days before the start of the 2014/15 Premier League season, with many even going as far as saying this will hit Manchester United the most.

Webb has been targeted many a time for being a little “partial” toward the Red Devils. But have they benefited the most from his decisions?

While we don’t want to go into an in-depth analysis of all his decisions, we have some stats which show that Man City have actually benefited the most when Webb was in charge of the game.

City have won more points (in lesser games) than their derby rivals, averaging almost 2.5 points per game. North London side Arsenal are another team who will be sad to see him go as they have enjoyed more than 2 points per game with him in charge. 

Liverpool, however, will be happy to see the back of him as they average less than one point per game when Webb takes the field. 

TOP EPL CLUBS' RECORD WITH HOWARD WEBB AS REFEREE

#	CLUB	MATCHES	W	D	L	GD	POINTS	PTS PER GAME
1	Man City	17	13	2	2	28	41	2.41
2	Man United	20	12	1	7	12	37	1.85
3	Arsenal	15	11	2	2	8	35	2.33
4	Chelsea	16	8	3	5	10	27	1.69
5	Everton	16	6	6	4	5	24	1.50
6	Tottenham	15	7	3	5	-3	24	1.60
7	Liverpool	19	5	2	12	-1	17	0.89

Xavi retires from International football

Spain midfielder Xavi, one of the most decorated footballers of all time who defined the nation's spectacularly successful 'tiki-taka' possession-based playing style, has retired from internationals at the age of 34.

The Barcelona player represented his country 133 times, a record for an outfield player and only bettered by goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas, and was a key figure in Spain's glittering run when it won the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

Xavi announced his decision during a press conference for his club.

"I have decided to retire from the Spain national team," he said. "I'm grateful for all those years. It has been a fantastic time."

Xavi made his debut as a 20-year-old against the Netherlands in 2000.

He added: "I'm not 20 anymore, but I still have the motivation of a kid."

He played in four World Cups and three European Championships and won 100 of his 133 matches for the Iberian nation, controlling play from a central position, regularly providing assists and also scoring the occasional goal.

His last appearance for Spain was a bitter 5-1 reverse to the Netherlands in their opening Group B match in Brazil in June.

He was dropped by coach Vicente del Bosque for their next game against Chile, which they also lost and were eliminated, and replaced by Atletico Madrid's Koke, whom he has singled out as his natural successor.

He said: "I was going to retire after Euro 2012 but head coach Vicente del Bosque persuaded me to stay on and go to Brazil which was of course a huge disappointment for everyone and myself individually.

"After Euro 2012, it was generally understood I was going to be leaving after Brazil 2014. I hope Del Bosque stays as manager as Spain because I don't think there is a better man for the job.

"I want to thank everyone involved in that team for the way they treated me and the respect and I could not wish for a better time as an international."

Spanish team-mate David Villa also retired after the tournament in Brazil, while other veterans Iker Casillas and Xabi Alonso are still available despite speculation that they too may retire from international football.