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    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. 

  • Messi_Leg_Latino
    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)
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    Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistribu
  • 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.
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    2016 Getty Images
  • 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.
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    2005 Getty Images
  • 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.
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    2005 Getty Images
  • 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.
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    2006 Getty Images
  • 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”.
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    2007 Getty Images
  • 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.
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    2008 Getty Images
  • 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.
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    2008 Getty Images
  • 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.
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    Getty Images
  • 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.
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    2010 Getty Images
  • 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.
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    2014 Getty Images
  • 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.
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    2014 Getty Images
  • 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.
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    2015 Getty Images
  • 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.
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  • 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.
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    2016 Getty Images
  • 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.
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    2016 Getty Images
  • 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.
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    2016 Getty Images
  • Published
    17 Images

    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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