I Quit: Lionel Messi's Retirement Turns Argentina Copa Dream into Nightmare

Lionel Messi pushed himself to the limits of his physical and mental endurance to deliver the Copa America for Argentina. But, ultimately, even his incomparable skills were not enough in the MetLife Arena, New Jersey, as Chile claimed the title on penalties.

After such optimism, the nation finished the competition in a crisis that may take years to mend. 

While the captain's bombshell decision to retire from international duty was not exactly expected, a sign of his devastation was obvious from the moment the first penalty against Chile was launched into the stratosphere. Messi had fought a losing battle throughout the final, and when it came to the shootout, there was nothing left in the tank. 

The shootout may have turned out very differently had the Barcelona star drilled his kick down the middle instead of harmlessly over Claudio Bravo's crossbar. Arturo Vidal and Sergio Romero had given theAlbiceleste the advantage, but the omens were once more against a team that just cannot kick the habit of finishing second. 

Lucas Biglia followed his captain by putting a tame penalty well within Bravo's reach, and the photo of Messi sitting disconsolate on the bench was another photographic stain on his glittering career following the iconic images that followed defeat in the 2014 World Cup and in the Copa just 12 months ago. 

"That's it, the national team is over for me," he admitted to TyCSports in the mixed zone once the dust settled on another failure in Argentina colours (per Ole). "We've had four finals, this isn't for me unfortunately. This is what I most desired, I sought victory but it was not to be. That's it."

Those were the words of a broken man, the best player in the world who for a fourth time had seen his dreams and those of a nation shattered by the whims and cruelty of the beautiful game. 

It had all looked so different just weeks ago. Messi had sat out the opening match against Chile, but once he re-entered the Argentina team following his recovery from a back problem suffered in a friendly win over Honduras, it looked like 2016 was destined to be his year. 

Panama were dispatched 5-0 thanks to an incredible 26-minute hat-trick from La Pulga. Bolivia too were given short shrift, as NicolasOtamendi, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Erik Lamela sealed a first-half victory that meant Messi's recuperation took place in a second 45 minutes that was little more than an exhibition. 

Once the knockouts got going, Messi and Argentina looked unstoppable. A staggering pass to set up Gonzalo Higuain set the tone against Venezuela, and Messi netted his fourth of the campaign following a neat one-two with Nicolas Gaitan to break through theVinotinto defence. When hosts United States beckoned in the last-four, it was time to ramp up performances even further. 

Yet another assist from the top drawer followed, this time for Lavezzi. But La Pulga went even further, swerving in a free-kick past BradGuzan that appeared to be an unmistakeable statement of intent in Houston. Another pair of goals for Higuain sealed a 4-0 triumph, with the US men's national team failing to muster even a single shot on Romero's goal. 

But yet, despite marching into the final, Argentina could not shake the fear that is generated in a player following repeated failure when it really counts.

Messi was going into his fourth final without a single winner's medal. For Marcos Rojo, Higuain, Aguero and others, it was their third in as many years. The old workhorse Javier Mascherano, Argentina's sole veteran from the 2004 Copa America shootout defeat at Brazil's hands, was aiming for fifth time lucky. 

Even Gerardo Martino had to revert the weight of history. The Rosario-born coach had taken Paraguay to a 3-0 final defeat to Uruguay in 2011 and saw tournament hosts Chile run out winners on penalties in Santiago in 2015. It was Tata's third straight Copa final, and he had never tasted victory. 

Ultimately, that pressure proved too much for almost all of the side—even Messi. All of that fine work earlier on was for nothing, as Chile—not the same side as Jorge Sampaoli's slick unit a year back, but with the same fight and hunger—proved viciously tricky opposition. 

The Roja made plenty of tackles to keep La Pulga in check. They battled for every ball and rose highest to expel the Albiceleste's desperate crossing. Gary Medel, Chile's diminutive guerrilla that typifies the heart of a nation, stretched his 5'7" frame to impossible dimensions and won every single aerial duel he contested, according to Opta. 

Above all, the side coached by Juan Antonio Pizzi played with the confidence that only a title can bring. For nine-tenths of their campaign, Argentina had been the best in the tournament, and Messiwas an unrivalled star stateside, but once more, they have fallen short. 

Only this time there might not be any way back. Messi has announced his retirement, although those in charge will likely beg and plead him to stay on at least until Russia 2018.

Aguero, Higuain and Mascherano are all considering following the same route, according to the Manchester City man at full-time (perOle): "Nobody could offer an explanation because we were all f--ked. Sadly, the most devastated man is Leo." 

The Argentina team as we know it, the Golden Generation that lifted the Under-20 World Cups of 2005 and 2007 and sealed Olympic Games triumphs in 2004 and 2008, is coming to an end.

Messi was its standard-bearer, and his desolate figure at the end of proceedings in New Jersey was symbolic for a team that was so close, and yet so far, from taking glory.

Manchester City Season in Review: Nicolas Otamendi

During the close season, Man City Square is going to review each member of the 2015/2016 Manchester City squad and grade them for their year. Next up – Number 30 Nicolas Otamendi

This may come as something of a surprise to you, but I feel a little sorry for Nicolas Otamendi. He comes in the off-season from Valencia, fresh off his inclusion in the La Liga Team of the Year, for a tidy sum of £28.5million to Manchester City. Not wanting to be seen as naive about the demands of English football, he grows a beard and adds to his tattoo collection to make himself appear more intimidating. You have to admire the dedication there, my dirty and unshaven look is for far more lazy reasons.

Nonetheless, Otamendi came at a price almost half that of his bumbling comrade-in-arms Eliaquim Mangala and gave every impression he would be the answer to City’s defensive woes. Except he only ended up giving more questions. Questions like: who is the least likely to commit a howler today between Nicolas and Eliaquim? Why, for someone with a pedigree of solid control and playmaking, has he been so decidedly average at both this season? How come nobody is any more intimidated by his facial hair than they are mine?

Errors, lapses in judgement, getting outclassed by lesser opposition. All these things paint a picture which stands as a damning indictment for a player seen as Vincent Kompany the Second Koming. Of course, that’s not the end of the story.

Perhaps more frustrating than his poor performances have been the good ones that show he can actually perform. When Mangala manages to make it through an error-free outing while actually making a reasonable attempt at performing the job he’s paid for, we start to wonder if there might actually be a competent defender in there yet. For Otamendi, we already know there is and we suffer the endless frustration at never seeing it materialise for any consistent length.

Not for lack of trying, certainly. That’s why I feel just a little sorry for his supremely up and down year in which, as is the way, will be remembered for the Jekyll and not the Hyde. Or, you’d imagine so, at least. On this Manchester City there’s grounds to believe that Otamendi may well get away with. As we discussed in the review for Clichy, in the land of the blind the one eyed man is King and an argument can be made for Nicolas fitting the bill.

Statistically speaking, Otamendi did a fairly good job at Centre Back, even a pretty great one. In 30 Premier League appearances, Otamendi made some 90 successful tackles, averaging 3 per game. “Human White Flag” Mangala on the other hand, only averages 1.4. Further, Otamendi averaged 3.5 interceptions, 7 clearances and 0.4 blocks per game, all of which are better (2.9, 5.2 and 0.3 respectively) than his teammate.

Perhaps, you may argue, it is a little unfair to compare Otamendi to Mangala as the latter had such a lead balloon of a season? How about Spurs’ Toby Alderweireld, often described as the best centre-back in the league, and indeed voted as such by the Telegraph for 2015/2016? In fact, Alderweireld managed to average only 1.2 successful tackles per game and his level of interceptions, clearances and blocks (1.7, 7.5, 0.9) are all much in line with what Nicolas produced. What gives?

Well, for start, statistics really don’t tell the full story. The times that Alderweireld and Otamendi choked were entirely different and ultimately led to differing conclusions. The stats may well paint an overall rosy picture, but they do little to gloss over what was easily observed by all actually watching the game.

Take Manchester City’s humiliating 3-1 defeat at the Etihad to then title rivals Leicester City on February 6. Leicester’s second goal, for those that remember, was entirely Otamendi’s fault as he found himself so absolutely stitched he lay motionless on the ground as his mark Riyad Mahrez danced around him with the ball. Struggling for form and to make an impact at his new club, this did little to bolster confidence in Otamendi among fans and even less with Manuel Pellegrini.

Still, even that isn’t the full story. Otamendi certainly plays his best when alongside Kompany. That’s one of Vinnie’s things, he raises the game of those around. That’s why he’s the captain. Just he wasn’t around to raise the game of his players much this year. Even with all that being the case, because we know there is a quality central defender in there, and he’s got the man fuzz to prove it, then he presents less of a gamble to Pep Guardiola to keep in his rebuild.

Do I know if Guardiola will keep him around, ultimately? No, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he did. Kompany’s injuries raise questions over his long term fitness. Mangala is a trap door in a canoe. Even bringing in more central defenders won’t detract for a need for depth in the position, solidity in the position. I’m not Otamendi’s biggest fan but at least this we know he can provide and, if we do see him again next season, let’s hope we aren’t feeling sorry for him then too. For this season though, he gets a 6.5.