Five Reasons Why Lionel Messi May Have Retired

In 2012, Lionel Messi was quoted as saying, "The day I stop enjoying playing football, I'll leave football". And now that he has called time on his international career, it's clear, that the 29-year-old isn't enjoying football, at least in Argentina colours. And these could be some real reasons behind him quitting playing for his country of birth:

1) Argentina beat Chile without Messi

Argentina may have lost the Copa Centanario title to Chile, but earlier in the tournament, the same Chilean team was beaten by Argentina. Interestingly, Messi didn't play that match due to injury. Has that led Messi into believing that the current crop of players are better off without him?

2) Losing three finals in a row

Losing any match can't be easy. Losing a final, when you are so close to lifting a trophy is heartbreaking. Losing three finals in a row? That can surely break a man's will and force him to quit; quit what he's loved doing all these years- play the beautiful game, the beautiful way.

3) Crucial penalty miss

Up until now the common narrative had been - 'Messi played well, but Argentina lost the finals'. But that may have changed after the 2016 Copa America final, where Messi himself was guilty of missing a crucial penalty that could have given the Albiceleste their first major title in 23 years. The little genius was inconsolable after the miss, and hours later announced his international retirement.

4) Tiff with Argentina Football Association

Just three days before the Copa America final vs Chile, this is what Lionel Messi wrote on his instagram account, "What a disaster the Argentina Football Association are. My god!". The comment was a reaction to a flight delay during the tournament.

Lately, Messi along with several other Argentine players have grown increasingly frustrated with the Argentine FA, which has suffered from political power struggles, organisational issues and financial problems. This very well could be another reason why the 29 year old chose to quit on his national side.

5) Argentina fans/media criticism

Messi is a Barcelona product, raised and trained by the Catalan club from the age of 13. Spain have often tried to lure him into playing for them, but the man from Rosario, Argentina has always played for his country of birth. But despite his best efforts, Messi's commitment towards Argentina has often been questioned by the country's fans and media alike, his status as Argentina's highest goal-scorer notwithstanding.

So while the five-time Ballon d'Or winner enjoys godlike status across the footballing world, most of his detractors reside in his own country. It couldn't be easy for the man to motivate himself year after year in existing circumstances.