Messi retires? Not so fast

A star athlete in his prime announces he's "done playing with” his national team minutes following an emotional, crushing defeat.

Any chance emotion was involved in the player's decision? Nahhhh …

Lionel Messi understandably was distraught following Argentina’s loss 4-2 on penalties to Chile after a 0-0 draw in the Copa America final on Sunday night.  Adding to Messi’s frustrations was his own missed penalty kick.

"My thinking right now and thinking about it in the locker room, I'm done playing with the national team," said Messi, who apparently also has issues with the Argentine football federation (AFA).

If so, Messi, at 29, walks away with an international record that includes losing the 2014 World Cup final and three Copa America finals. And with the next World Cup just two years away.

Is Messi the greatest futbol player ever? Not to Argentinians who cherish Diego Maradona and the 1986 World Cup victory.

The greatest player of his generation? Maybe, but Cristiano Ronaldo has supporters, too.

Messi has led Barcelona F.C. to eight La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles.

Ronaldo helped propel Manchester United to three consecutive Premier League titles and a Champions League crown. He has won a La Liga title and two Champions League titles with Real Madrid.

In international competition, Ronaldo and Portugal do not carry the expectations heaped on Messi and two-time World Cup champ and 14-time Copa America winner Argentina.

Has the pressure to return Argentina to the top finally proven to be too much for Messi?

I doubt it. I expect to see him play for Argentina at World Cup in Russia.