New Jersey: Diminutive in stature, a giant of the club game, but Lionel Messi could not exert his influence on Argentina and announced his retirement from international football on Sunday.

Lionel Messi

Messi, who scored a record 55 goals in 113 appearances for his country, quit after missing a penalty as a second successive Copa America final saw Chile beat Argentina in a shoot-out.

The Barcelona playmaker, who turned 29 last week and stands at 5ft 6in, is regarded as one of the all time best players.

High five
He's been named FIFA's best player in the world five times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015) and helped Barca win every trophy available, but has been a runner-up four times in a major international tournament and ended his Argentina career without a title, and in tears.

It remains to be seen if, like many boxers, Messi returns, with qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Qatar under way. But, for now, Messi's final act was blazing the ball over the bar from 12 yards during the 2-4 shoot-out loss to Chile.