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FILE - In this March 21, 2016 file photo, Argentina's Lionel Messi kicks the ball during a training session in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Messi's shocking decision to stop playing for Argentina could further hurt his already tarnished legacy with his national team. If Messi sticks to his announcement, made in the heat-of-the-moment shortly after Argentina's penalty shootout loss to Chile in Sunday's Copa America final on June 26, 2016, Argentina will be left dwelling on the fact that it was not able to win any significant title while having one of the best players of all time. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)![Messi_2016]()
In March 2016, Messi broke the number of goals record in La Liga. The 2015-16 season was the eighth season in which Messi scored 20 or more goals, surpassing all other players. In this picture, Messi celebrates after his team beat Sevilla 2-0 in the Copa del Rey Final between Barcelona and Sevilla at Vicente Calderon Stadium on May 22, 2016 in Madrid, Spain.![Messi_2]()
Messi made his debut with Barcelona’s Juvenil A in November 2003. In this December 2005 picture, Messi competes for the ball in a match between FC Barcelona and Celta.![Messi_3]()
FC Barcelona players celebrate Leo Messi's goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Albacete on May 1, 2005 at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain. This was Messi’s first senior goal with Barcelona.![Messi_1]()
Messi played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where Argentina was eliminated by Germany in the quarter finals. In this picture, dated June 21, Messi attempts to go past Tim De Cler from the Netherlands.![Messi_4]()
With Messi, Barcelona has won four Copas del Rey. In the 2007 Copa del Rey in one of the most famous moments in soccer history, Messi ran through Getafe players to score a goal, recreating Maradona’s famed “Goal of the Century”.![Messi_5]()
Messi led Argentina to a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics. In this picture, Lionel Messi of Argentina and Ebenezer Ajilore of Nigeria compete for the ball during the Men's Final between Nigeria and Argentina at the National Stadium on Day 15 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 23, 2008 in Beijing, China.![Messi_6]()
Barcelona wins the 2008-09 La Liga championship. With Messi, Barcelona has won La Liga 8 times. In this picture, Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates scoring the 2-0 during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou Stadium on December 13, 2008 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona won the match 2-0.![Messi_primer_ballon]()
In 2009, Messi won his first Ballon d’Or. In this picture, Messi holds up his European footballer of the year award, the 'Ballon d'Or' (Golden ball), before the La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium Stadium on December 12, 2009 in Madrid, Spain.![Messi_7]()
In the 2010 World Cup, Argentina was disqualified by Germany in the quarterfinals. In this picture, Lionel Messi of Argentina and Arne Friedrich of Germany jump for the ball during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Quarter Final match between Argentina and Germany at Green Point Stadium on July 3, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa.![Messi_2014]()
In March 2014, Messi broke the record for the highest number of goals scored for Barcelona. At this point Messi had scored 371 goals, surpassing Paulino Alcántara who scored 369 goals between 1912-1927. In this picture, Messi kicks the ball during the La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at Cornella-El Prat Stadium on March 29, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain.![Messi_09]()
Head coach Alejandro Sabella of Argentina looks on with Lionel Messi after being defeated by Germany 1-0 in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.![Messi_10]()
Messi has led FC Barcelona to four UEFA victories. In this picture, Messi celebrates with the trophy after the UEFA Champions League Final between Juventus and FC Barcelona at Olympiastadion on June 6, 2015 in Berlin, Germany.![Messi_11]()
In this July 4, 2015 file photo, Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, reacts after Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain, missed his penalty kick against Chile during the Copa America final soccer match at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile.![Messi_12]()
In 2015, Messi won his fifth Ballon d'Or. In this picture, Messi holds up the FIFA Ballon d'Or trophy prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club de Bilbao at Camp Nou on January 17, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain.![Messi_13]()
In 2016, Messi won his eighth La Liga championship. In this picture, Lionel Messi saves on a header during the La Liga match between Real Betis Balompie and FC Barcelona at Estadio Benito Villamarin on April 30, 2016 in Seville, Spain.![Messi_14]()
Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina reacts after he missed a penalty kick against Chile during the Copa America Centenario Championship match at MetLife Stadium on June 26, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Chile defeated Argentina 0-0 with the 4-2 win in the shootout.The artistry of Leo Messi
Soccer superstar Lionel Messi said he was retiring from the Argentine national team after suffering yet another defeat in a final, this time a 0-0 (4-2) loss to Chile at the Copa América Centenario at which Messi missed a penalty kick. International soccer will miss his artistry.
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- The artistry of Leo Messi
