Don’t cry for Argentina — Lionel Messi already has.
Soccer sensation Messi, who became Argentina’s all-time leading scorer last week with a dazzling 25-yard free kick against the U.S. in the Copa America tournament, had the world talking — if not mocking — again this morning.
After his country lost to Chile in the tournament final on Sunday, the Adidas-sponsored player said he would retire from international play.
Argentina lost its fourth major final in nine years, delivering a devastating blow to the nation’s soccer-passionate fans.
The decision followed a game in which Messi, one of the most exhilarating and high-scoring players in recent years, failed to score during a critical penalty shootout.
The miss — and Messi’s subsequent reaction — had the internet buzzing with dozens of crying athlete memes soon after.
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For instance, Tone Viera tweeted: “Felt like I needed to throw this Messi Jordan crying face in the mix.”
Felt like I needed to throw this Messi Jordan crying face in the mix. pic.twitter.com/3j8aU4XcuB
— Tone Viera (@KingTone730) June 27, 2016
Another writer named Doom Killa commented: “When she texts you sorry we just friends #CopaAmerica.”
When she texts you sorry we just friends #CopaAmerica https://t.co/5UAuodQKMo
— DooM Killa (@ltsKilla) June 27, 2016
While Adidas has been consistently honoring Messi with special collections, such as when it created a customized version of the Messi 15 soccer cleat after his record fifth Ballon d’Or win, the athlete has also been the subject of negative press.
Messi and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, are facing tax evasion charges. In May, the younger Messi, accused of defrauding the Spanish government of roughly $4.7 million between 2007 and 2009, failed to show up for the start of his trial.
