The National’s Sport cover for the Tuesday, June 28 issue features an illustration by Nick Donaldson of Argentina’s Lionel Messi as he leaves the field after their Copa America final defeat to Chile.
Messi announced he is retiring from international football after the loss.
Online poll: Has Lionel Messi retired from international football at the right time?
The 29-year-old five-time Fifa world footballer of the year was left devastated on Sunday after suffering yet another traumatic near-miss with Argentina in the Copa America Centenario – his fourth defeat in a final since 2007.
“For me the national team is over,” Messi said. “I’ve done all I can, I’ve been in four finals and it hurts not to be a champion.
“It’s a hard moment for me and the team, and it’s difficult to say, but it’s over with the Argentina team.”
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