Maradona, Macri plead with Messi to carry on

Argentine football legend Lionel Messi's emotional exit from wearing his country's stripes was sought to be postponed by the greater legend Diego Maradona and the country's President Muaricio Makri. They urged Messi to reconsider his decision to resign from playing for his country. Argentina had lost badly to unfancied Chile in the Copa America football tournament 4-2, which match on Sunday was marred more by brawn than brain or football skills. Both sides were reduced to 10 men, and Messi also received a Yellow Card. So, on the spur of the moment, Messi took the momentous decision to quit playing for his country. "I have done all I can. I have been in four finals and it hurts not to be a champion,' he said. President Mauricio Macri pleaded: `The performance of the Argentine team throughout the tournament is praiseworthy. The same kind of play we will have to show for some more years to come. For that, players like Messi are necessary. There is no need for him to quit at this stage.'