Messi returns to compete in a Copa América in the United States, the scene where he “retired” from Argentina

The Copa América begins this Thursday with the duel between Argentina and Canada, at 9 pm (Brasília time), at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in Atlanta. This will be the 48th edition of the tournament, which will be held in the United States this year. The scenario of the continental tournament in American lands does not bring back good memories for Lionel Messi, who in 2016 almost left the Argentine national team in an environment like this.

The day has come 🤩 pic.twitter.com/FFongnu01U

— CONMEBOL Copa América™ POR 🇧🇷 (@copaamerica_POR) June 20, 2024

Between 2014 and 2016, Messi experienced many frustrations with Argentina, when he was still looking for his first professional title for the country. In 2014, the brothers were runners-up at the World Cup in Brazil. In 2015, they lost the Copa América final to Chile on penalties.

The last straw for Messi was 2016. In the Copa América Centenario (a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the first edition of the tournament) held in the United States, Argentina reached the final again, against the same Chile. After a 0-0 draw, the champion was decided on penalties. With a penalty missed by Messi, Argentina was once again in second place. The star in number 10 couldn’t handle the pressure and announced his retirement from the national team after the game.

“The selection is over for me. It is not for me. I tried, it was what I wanted most and it didn’t work. It’s difficult to do an analysis now. It’s incredible, but there’s no way. Today it happened again, and again on penalties. There are four finals that I have already lost, three in a row. The truth is that it’s a shame, but it has to be like this: it doesn’t happen, we try and go after it. There are a lot of people who want this (their departure from the national team), because they are not satisfied with reaching the finals and not winning, and we are not satisfied either. I’ve tried too much. No one more than me wanted to be champion with Argentina and I left without achieving it”, said Messi on June 26, 2016.

This story, however, ended with a happy ending. A month and a half after announcing his departure, Messi returned to the national team. After five years, Argentina finally won a trophy with the player. In the 2021 Copa América, the Hermanos beat Brazil in the final and became champions again after 28 years.

¡@Argentina reaches 15th! 🇦🇷

In 2021, Albiceleste lifted the CONMEBOL Copa América™️ led by Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María 🏆#VibraOContinente #RumoaCA

— CONMEBOL Copa América™ POR 🇧🇷 (@copaamerica_POR) June 19, 2024

After his first title with his country, Messi was champion two other times with Argentina, including the biggest football tournament, the World Cup, in 2022. The other trophy won by the player was the Finalíssima also in 2022, against Italy.

Now, Messi returns to compete in a Copa América in the United States. However, unlike 2016, the striker goes to the tournament as the current champion of the world and the continent with his country.