Argentina Mourn Lionel Messi’s Retirement, Statue Unveiled At Buenos Aires

The news of Lionel Messi announcing his retirement from international football after the Copa America Centenario has led to a period of national mourning in Argentina, with the statue of the Barcelona star unveiled in Buenos Aires.  The President of Argentina Mauricio Macri says he hopes to get Messi to reverse on his decision to retire from international football. Macri also said he do not understand the rationale with which people criticise the Barcelona forward. Lionel Messi dramatically retired after the Copa America Centenario final loss to Chile in the United States, which marked the star's third consecutive loss in a major tournament. Argentina lost the 2014 FIFA World Cup final to Germany in 2014, Copa America Chile 2015 to Chile in 2015, and the Copa America Centenario to Chile in 2016, leading to frustration. President of Argentina Macri confirmed that he has spoken with Messi on phone since he returned to Argentina on Monday, but Lionel Messi hs not spoken publicly about his decision.