It was a Sunday night in New Jersey when two South American powerhouses faced off in the Copa America Final. It just so happened that this was a rematch of last year's final. On one side of the ball, you had the high-powered attack of the Argentinian National Team led by Lionel Messi. On the other side, there was the physical, yet brilliant, soccer of the Chilean National team led by Alexis Sanchez. After another hard-fought battle between the two teams, it ended up being decided in the ever so painful penalty kicks. With the hopes of a country on his shoulder, Messi stepped up to take his penalty kick. The pressure seemed too much as the normally composed Messi missed his kick and a few shots later, the Chilean National team took home the trophy for a second straight year. The loss, Argentina's four major tournaments final loss in a row, led to the press conference heard round the world. Lionel Messi has retired from international soccer.

Now, it remains to be seen if the star player holds to his decision and does not play again for his country, but for now he has retired from international play. Many may look at this move as one of selfishness or that of a quitter. Some look at it as a player who can't bear to let his country down one more time as he has done it so much already. I agree with both sides, but I have my own opinion.

Now, one thing we must understand is that the latter of the two opinions is very true and that the pressure put on Messi has been more than any other players have received. Ever since he was a little kid, he has had the pressure of being, possibly the greatest player ever. He has been touted to bring back another World Cup to Argentina for so many years now and he has come so close so many times. The man has given his all for his country and has done everything he can to bring a trophy back to his country, but he has not succeeded. The fans have been harsh to him sometimes and even his fellow Argentinian superstar, Diego Maradona, said to him before this tournament started that he shouldn't come home if he did not win this year. Many, I am sure have said something of the sort, as well. Messi has never had just hundreds of thousands of people's hopes and dreams to fulfill, he has had millions.

With that said, this Argentinian team was ranked number one in the world for a reason. The team was stacked. Unbelievable talent all across the forward and midfield positions. So much that they sat Sergio Aguero, one of the best strikers the Premier League has to offer, on the bench. So, Messi did have a ton to work with. The one weak part of this team was their defense and throughout the tournament, they were fantastic defensively. Messi should have won with this team, no doubt, but is it all his fault, probably not. But no matter what happened in that game, Messi was going to be blamed for the loss if they did fail to beat Chile. There was so much riding on this game. A whole nation watching, hoping they could finally lift a trophy in a major tournament, but it wouldn't be and Messi had had enough.

There are so many different angles to take on this and so many different opinions. Here is mine.

Maybe it was frustration. Hopefully, it was frustration because to have one of the best players never play internationally again at such a young age, it is certainly a disappointment. Maybe it was a disappointment in himself. Maybe he thought he just couldn't go on letting his country and his team down again and again. I don't know why he said what he said, but he should have never said it. It makes him look bad. I understand emotions were high and he was having a tough time with the loss, but he should not quit on his team like that. That was not the right move, no matter what you are feeling after a game. Listen Chile played him exceptionally and the other players around him did not help him at all, but to come out after and saying your quitting makes him look like someone who has no drive to succeed. Someone who takes adversity and doesn't grow from it, but is beaten down by it. It makes him look weak-minded.

Now, we all know that he is not that. We all know that he is a strong, wise player who may have just made a mistake. We all know that he is still and will always be one of the best ever. But when it comes to his image, it looks a little tainted in my opinion. He could easily come back out and say that he did not mean to react like that and that he does want to continue playing for his country and that, in my opinion, would be okay. But if he remains retired, he loses a little of my respect as a competitor.

I understand the pressure. I understand the expectations and, no, I have never been in that situation, so I don't understand what it is like. But, let me tell you something, he has and he should be much better prepared for the adversity he has faced.

Do I think he is actually going to retire? No, not at all. I think you see him on the field for his country once again, but maybe he just needs some time away from it. Maybe some time to clear his mind. Messi is still the greatest player I have seen play in my lifetime and his skills are unmatched. He is a legend. But when it comes down to his decision on international soccer, I think that this was the one time he was wrong. The one time that he didn't act as the legend he is known to be.