Lionel Messi says he has retired from international football after doing everything he could to win the Copa America with Argentina Lionel Messi says he has retired from international football after doing everything he could to win the Copa America with Argentina

Lionel Messi has retired from international football after Argentina crashed to a defeat against Chile in the final of the Copa America.

"For me the national team is over. I've done all I can, it hurts not to be a champion," said the 29-year-old Barcelona superstar in the wake of the penalty shoot-out defeat in New Jersey.

"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."

Messi's announcement, just two days after his 29th birthday, comes after Argentina suffered their third loss in a major final since 2014.

Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague admits he was surprised to hear Messi announce his retirement from international football Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague admits he was surprised to hear Messi announce his retirement from international football

The five-time FIFA Player of the Year, winner of four Champions League titles and eight Spanish La Liga crowns with Barcelona, missed from the penalty spot as Argentina lost to Chile for the second straight year, losing 4-2 in the shootout following a goalless 120 minutes.

They were beaten 1-0 by Germany in the final of the World Cup in 2014 and lost on penalties, also to Chile, in the final of the 2015 Copa America, while Messi also tasted defeat with Argentina in the final of the 2007 Copa America.

"On top of everything, I missed the penalty kick," Messi added on Argentinian TV network TyC.

"I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, and then for everyone. I think there's a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it."

Although regarded as one of the greatest footballers ever, Messi has regularly been criticised by demanding fans for his failure to land a major title with Argentina.

Argentina legend Diego Maradona during the 1986 World Cup

His failure to match the achievements in the Argentina jersey of Diego Maradona, who carried the team to victory in the 1986 World Cup, has often been held against him.

Maradona himself has often taken potshots at Messi, criticising him on the eve of the tournament for a perceived "lack of personality".

Lionel Messi during a court appearance in Barcelona earlier this year

"He's a really good person, but he has no personality," Maradona said in Paris recently. "He lacks the character to be a leader."

Messi's bombshell decision comes after a gruelling season which was disrupted by injury last year.

He recovered to help Barcelona win the Spanish title once more and was relishing the prospect of leading Argentina to glory in the Copa America Centenario.

His commitment to playing for Argentina was reflected in his decision to fly from Spain to Argentina for a low-key friendly against Honduras shortly before the tournament, where he suffered a back injury.

He then returned to Spain to give evidence at his trial for tax fraud before jetting off to the United States to join up with his Argentina team-mates.

Messi misses a spot-kick as Chile beat Argentina on penalties in the Copa America final for the second successive year. Video courtesy of Premier Sports. Messi misses a spot-kick as Chile beat Argentina on penalties in the Copa America final for the second successive year. Video courtesy of Premier Sports.

Although he was injured for his team's opening group game against Chile, he came on as a substitute in a 5-0 hammering of Panama to score a hat-trick in 19 minutes.

He then equalled Argentina's international goalscoring record of 54, held by Gabriel Batistuta, in the quarter-finals before setting a new mark with his 55th international goal in the semi-final win over the United States.

Watch Messi miss Argentina's first penalty against Chile Watch Messi miss Argentina's first penalty against Chile

Chile's Argentina-born coach Juan Antonio Pizzi paid respects to his countryman after the victory, describing Messi as the "best player ever."

"Messi's numbers are unparalleled and I think they'll remain that way forever, because it's impossible for a football player to do what Messi has done," said Pizzi.

Messi celebrates after scoring a hat-trick against Panama earlier in the tournament

"My generation can't compare him to Maradona that's for my generation, because of what Maradona did for Argentine soccer.

"But I think the best player ever played today here in the United States."