Argentina star Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football following the conclusion of the 2016 Copa America where his side were defeated on a penalty shootout in the final.

Messi, 29, has appeared in finals with his country in three consecutive summers only to lose at the final hurdle to Germany at the 2014 World Cup and Chile in consecutive Copa America tournaments.

Over the past three weeks, the Barcelona star became the record goalscorer in the history of the Argentine national side. He scored six goals at the competition in the United States to take his tally to 55 international goals, one more than former record holder Gabriel Batistuta.

Post game Messi told Argentine media outlet TyC:”The national team is over for me. I’ve made my decision”