Sports
Lionel Messi’s Shock 2016 Argentina ‘Retirement’ and Reversal
Lionel Messi’s World Cup triumph with Argentina in 2022 and his multiple Copa America titles stand as some of the proudest achievements of his career, yet they might never have happened had he not made a crucial decision back in 2016.
After another agonising final defeat that summer, a devastated Messi told the world his time with the national team was over, convinced he had given everything he had to give without reward.
Had he stuck to that call, the Argentina career now remembered as one of the greatest in football history would simply not exist.
Lionel Messi’s 2016 Argentina Retirement Explained
Messi’s announcement came moments after Argentina’s penalty shootout defeat to Chile in the 2016 Copa America Centenario final, an off-schedule tournament arranged to mark 100 years of the tournament.
It was a result that condemned the then-29-year-old to a fourth major final loss with his country and third in a row, following the 2007 Copa America final, then the 2014 World Cup final defeat to Germany, before another Copa America defeat in 2015. In the immediate aftermath, a visibly devastated Messi told reporters:
“For me the national team is over. I’ve done all I can, it hurts not to be a champion. It’s been four finals, it’s not meant for me. I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over.”
He was adamant in the moment that there was no going back on the decision, framing it as final rather than a knee-jerk reaction to defeat.
Messi’s frustration ran deeper than the final losses. He had become increasingly unhappy with the running of Argentine football behind the scenes, having taken aim at the Argentine Football Association publicly after the squad endured a lengthy delay travelling to the final, where he labelled them a “disaster.”
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Back home, the reaction to his announcement was one of shock, with fans taking to the streets with signs urging him to reconsider. Goalkeeper Sergio Romero was among those to speak out, suggesting Messi’s comments had come from raw emotion in the heat of the moment and admitting he could not picture the national side without him.
Even long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo urged him to reconsider:
“It hurts me to see Messi in tears and I hope he returns to his national team, because they need him.”
Fans and pundits across the football world shared that hope, with much of the coverage treating the retirement as a passionate outburst rather than a permanent goodbye. Nobody was ready to see him go so soon, and they got their wish.
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What Happened Since Messi Changed his Mind
Messi’s international exile lasted barely two months. Ahead of a pair of World Cup qualifiers later that summer, he issued a statement reversing his decision, citing his love for the country and the shirt as too strong to walk away from.
He explained that his intention had never been to cause harm to Argentine football, and that he preferred to help fix its problems rather than criticise from the outside, while thanking supporters who had urged him to stay.
“My love for Argentina and this jersey forced me to return.”
The U-turn changed the course of his career entirely. Five years later, Messi led Argentina to Copa America glory in 2021, before lifting the World Cup itself in 2022, in what was one of the best matches ever played at a World Cup. He added a further Copa America title in 2024 and, individually, has now scored over 120 goals in more than 200 appearances for his country.
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An international career that briefly looked finished at 29, instead turned into the most decorated spell of Messi’s international career, and all but sealed the argument for Messi being the best footballer of all-time to many, all built on a decision he reversed within weeks of making it.
Sports
Arsenal Prepare Bid For Top Target After Making Contact With Rivals
Arsenal are preparing a second offer to tempt a move for Bruno Guimaraes, according to the Daily Mail, as the Gunners make the Newcastle midfielder one of their top targets this summer.
It comes after an initial proposal for the Brazilian was turned down by the Magpies, with Mikel Arteta keen to get a deal over the line for him in the coming weeks.
The Arsenal midfield ranks have come into focus this summer for potential reinforcements, with an expected exit for Christian Norgaard likely to create space in the squad for an arrival.
With Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Myles Lewis-Skelly at his disposal, Arteta is now seemingly looking for another midfield generalist who can offer some quality.
Guimaraes is now in their sights, and another move is being prepared.
Arsenal Eye Bruno Guimaraes Deal
Arsenal don’t appear to be slowing down in their pursuit of Guimaraes this summer, as the Daily Mail reports that a second offer is now expected from the Premier League champions.
That is despite the club being told, via intermediaries, that Newcastle are not willing to entertain a sale for the Brazilian. He enters the final two years of his contract this summer, coming as a crunch point for most clubs to consider a sale or an extension to the deal.
The report claims that the player’s stance is currently unknown, and it’s unclear whether he will push for an exit or whether he would be open to a new contract.
The 28-year-old has been described as a “top target” for Arteta, however, which may prompt Arsenal to be persistent in their approach for Guimaraes.
It remains to be seen how much the second offer from the North London club will be, and whether it will be enough to create a change of heart at St. James’ Park.
However, it is showing a rapid push from Arsenal to get a deal over the line.
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Arsenal Challenge For Bruno Guimaraes
Arsenal may face a prolonged challenge in trying to sign Guimaraes this summer, as Newcastle aren’t under pressure to sell the midfielder, at the moment.
The key sale of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona may have freed up some spending power, while Sandro Tonali continues to be linked with an exit.
That may prevent an exit for Guimaraes, though the contract situation could play a prevalent part in any possible negotiation in the coming weeks.
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The two years remaining on his contract mean that this summer could be the final chance for Newcastle to cash-in at a maximum valuation for the star.
However, if he isn’t agitating for an exit, then there may be no need to do so.It could, therefore, depend on the player’s stance and whether he pushes for the transfer to Arsenal.
With the World Cup taking most of his focus at the moment, that stance may not be revealed for a few weeks yet.
Sports
European Giants Join Race For ‘Powerful’ Celtic Ace
Celtic appear likely to lose one of their key players this summer, as reports emerge over growing interest in the midfield ace in the transfer market.
It comes as the Hoops are trying to build a squad capable of comfortably competing for the Scottish Premiership title again, after last season’s dramatic ending.
There were several changes in the dugout, but eventually Martin O’Neill secured the league title on the final day of the season, cementing his legacy at Celtic Park.
The experienced head coach has since been handed a further one-year deal, and will now get the chance to help stabilise the side for the future.
That includes some important signings to help improve the quality at his disposal, but it could also see some huge sales over the course of the summer transfer window for Celtic.
AS Roma Join Arne Engels Race
One of the Celtic stars who is in-demand this summer is Arne Engels, with the midfielder seemingly attracting the attention of several different clubs.
The 22-year-old is into the final two years under contract with the Hoops, and after another important campaign for the star, there could be an exit on the horizon.
According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Italian giants AS Roma are inserting themselves in the race to sign Engels this summer, as the battle for his signature heats up.
Premier League clubs are claimed to be monitoring a deal for the Belgian midfielder too, which could see his value shoot up as Celtic look to keep hold of the star.
It underlines just how tough the market could be for the champions, as their promising options and key stars continue to gain interest from other teams in the transfer market.
With just two years remaining on his deal, it may be one of the final chances for Celtic to land a big fee for Engels, before a potential rebuild.
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Engels Exit A Potential Blow
An exit for Engels could prove to be a huge blow for Celtic, with the midfielder being an ever-present force over the course of the past campaign.
The Belgian star, who has been described as “powerful”, has been a relatively reliable option in the squad and continues to improve at the age of just 22.
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Celtic are pushing to secure his signature.
With so many teams seeing that potential, it’s clear that Celtic will have a hard time keeping hold of him, while this summer could prove an ideal time to at least grab the maximum value from him in the market.
It’ll be tough to find the next player who could replace Engels, with a clear need for long-term planning to kick in for another star who could have just as much of an impact.
Sports
Leeds Make Contact To Jacob Widell Zetterstrom
Leeds United have made contact to sign a goalkeeper this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano, as the club step up their plans to improve the squad.
It comes as the Whites have already sealed their first deal of the window, with an agreement reached to sign Harry Wilson as a free agent after his contract expired at Fulham.
There was an offer lodged for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles, with talks ongoing to sign him, while another free agent could join in the form of Julian Brandt.
With those moves looking to improve the midfield and forward ranks, it’s the goalkeeping options next up on the radar for Leeds.
Leeds have faced plenty of problems in the goalkeeping areas in recent seasons, and they are looking to solve that once again this summer with another possible arrival.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Whites have made contact over a deal to sign Derby County and Sweden shot-stopper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
It’s claimed that enquiries have been made over a price for the 27-year-old, but the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolves remain in the race for his signature.
Zetterstrom has spent two years at Derby after joining the club from Djurgardens, becoming the club’s number-one option between the sticks in the Championship.
The goalkeeper has a contract that runs until 2027, with the club holding an option for another year on top of that, as he continues to demonstrate his quality.
With the World Cup underway, Zetterstrom joined up with the Sweden squad to put together a deep run in the competition. He was sidelined for the opening two group games, but the Derby star was drafted in for the final match against Japan, as he made several top saves in a 1-1 draw, helping Sweden qualify for the round of 32.
It remains to be seen whether Graham Potter will stick with Zetterstrom for the coming game, but his quality is starting to be recognised on the big stage, and Leeds are one of several teams now in the race to sign him.
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Leeds Need To Fix Goalkeeper Problems
Leeds have faced constant issues in the goalkeeping departments over the years that have proven costly. Illan Meslier made several mistakes before he was eventually replaced with the arrival of Lucas Perri.
The 28-year-old has also struggled, with the Brazilian eventually being replaced himself by Karl Darlow through the second-half of the campaign.
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Now, with even more changes expected, Leeds need to ensure their next arrival between the sticks will be the right one to stop the team from dropping points.
It remains to be seen whether that will be Zetterstrom or another option, but it could be an important window for arrivals at the back.
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