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Hell and heartache: Guillem Balague examines Lionel Messi's Argentina retirement

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JUNE 26:  Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina looks on before the game winning penalty kick is made during the Copa America Centenario Cham

As the world of football reacts to Lionel Messi's retirement from international football, Guillem Balague assesses the Barcelona star's shock decision...

A penalty shootout defeat to Chile in the Copa America final - Argentina's third defeat in a third major tournament final since 2014 - proved too much for Messi to handle as he called time on his international career just two days after his 29th birthday.

Elsewhere, Euro 2016 takes centre stage once more when holders Spain look to reach the quarter-finals when they face Italy in Paris on Monday evening.

Sky Sports' Spanish football expert looks at the reasoning behind Messi's retirement, and the implications of his decision, before examining the key talking points ahead of a defining fixture in Vicente del Bosque's reign in charge of La Roja...

Why doesn't Argentina appreciate Lionel Messi as much as the rest of world football?

A lot of Argentinians do but there are a bunch of very noisy ones that have, to some extent, made his life hell when he is in Argentina. They believe he is not Argentinian enough, that he doesn't try hard enough for the team and that he doesn't play the same as he does for Barcelona, despite that being obvious because he doesn't have the same level of players around him. That has been eroding his love of playing for the national side in a way.

I have the impression that he would have taken this decision, a decision which has taken everyone by surprise, no matter what, although he would have hoped to have done so with a win. Five consecutive victories in the Copa America but falling at the final hurdle again for the third consecutive time was very hurtful; we saw him crying and then the decision was announced. I do feel that at 29 years old, he probably thought that was it for him anyway.

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We know how passionate people are about football in Argentina but the kind of accusations directed towards Messi were ridiculous. He was whistled sometimes and you could hear people say: 'You're not like Diego Maradona' and 'If we paid you in Euros, perhaps you would play better'. He was close to quitting the national side in 2011 due to the level of abuse he received after Argentina were eliminated from the Copa America in the quarter-finals.

As you well know, having followed Spanish football for a number of years, Messi lives in Argentina and goes to train in Barcelona. Everything around him is Argentinian; television, supermarkets and restaurants - he feels more Argentinian than ever and he hasn't lost the accent. But he hasn't helped his side get to the level he wanted and he feels that's enough.

Are other players considering their international careers?

Messi won't be the only famous Argentinian player to leave this team. It looks like Gonzalo Higuain is thinking about it, Sergio Aguero has said Messi may not be the only one leaving and Javier Mascherano may leave as well. There is a bunch of players - the hardcore of the team - that has taken Argentina to a golden age of being in three consecutive finals - 2014 World Cup and consecutive Copa America finals.

Even though they fell at the final hurdle and lost on penalties on Sunday, they just feel they've given enough to the side, that perhaps they're not appreciated enough or that perhaps the federation is not professional enough - Aguero and Messi criticised some of the travel arrangements. All in all, it is perhaps too much for people who are peaking in their 30s and perhaps they want to keep themselves physically fit for club football.

Have Italy closed the gap on Spain following their 4-0 defeat in the Euro 2012 final?

In 2012, Italy were a team that were completely un-Italian. Even though they reached the final there were calls to scrap the team. They were tired at the end of that tournament and lost to a very sharp Spain side in what was arguably the best game of the Vicente del Bosque era.

Italy are completely different now, Antonio Conte is in charge and they have the three centre-backs from Juventus and the goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon as well. They will have a lot of people behind the ball and Spain will have to attack. Italy are back to their best in terms of style, certainly they haven't got quality but Spain struggle with those kinds of teams.

What's the latest on under-fire Spain goalkeeper David de Gea in the build-up?

Three things, Del Bosque has backed him up saying he's playing well, that he is our goalkeeper and that there's no argument over that. In Spain, the debate has been different, for instance people claim he could have done more to prevent Croatia's winning goal on Tuesday.

There is a more interesting debate happening within the squad among the likes of Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos who would like him to come out of his six-yard box a little bit more and be like a sweeper in the ilk of Manuel Neuer.

For whatever reason, though, De Gea doesn't feel like he needs to do that and there is an ongoing tactical debate that continues. However, this all comes down to the fact Spain lost to Croatia, if they didn't then this debate would be taking place.

What changes, if any, is Del Bosque expected to make against Italy?

In what could be the final Del Bosque game, he is not expected to make many changes. Perhaps the changes will come in the way Spain play as opposed to personnel.

Nolito could play the false nine position with Alvaro Morata playing wide instead of number nine because, with Italy playing with three centre-backs, Spain will not want to give them a reference point up front.

The same team that has started all three games up to this point with start again and that's a bit worrying because, even after half an hour against Croatia, they were a bit tired.

Could Morata's new manager be watching him from the opposition dugout tonight?

In terms of his future, Morata has gone back to Real Madrid but it doesn't end there. He is currently a replacement for Karim Benzema but he doesn't want to be just a fourth striker. He agent has confirmed that he will listen to offers, and we will have to see if Real Madrid do the same. The offers come from England; Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United would like to have him so now it's down to Real Madrid if they want to sell him. 

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