For me, the national team is over," he said after defeat by Chile in the Copa America final. "I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion." Messi, 29, has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with Spanish side Barcelona.
But his only major international honour is Olympic gold at the 2008 Games. Messi lacks in marketability he makes up in his footballing ability twentyfold.
His ability to be a world class playmaker, CF, and winger is an ability that hasn't really been seen before.
However, he has won pretty much everything else by the age of 21/22. Ballon D'or, multiple Champions League titles, countless domestic league cups & titles....there simply hasn't been a dominant player like Messi in the modern football era.
"It's been four finals, I tried," added Messi, who made his debut for Argentina in 2005 and has played 113 times for his country. "It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's over.