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29 March 2024

How Lionel Messi left Dubai residents in shock

Argentina's Lionel Messi waits to receive the second place medal during the Copa America Centenario awards ceremony in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States, on June 26, 2016. (AFP)

Published
By Allaam Ousman

Football fans in the UAE reacted with shock and sadness at Lionel Messi’s sensational decision to retire after Argentina were beaten 4-2 by Chile in a penalty shootout in the Copa America final.

It came as a double blow for Messi’s legions of fans in Dubai who woke up on Monday morning to see him missing Argentina's opening penalty in the shootout after the game ended 0-0.

Most had got up at 4am, the kick-off time in UAE and were disappointed at seeing their hero failing to inspire Argentina to victory, the fourth final the Barcelona striker has lost with the national side.

Messi, a five-time World Player of the Year, was seen in tears in the team dug out after the loss.

He was reported as saying: "In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it's not for me.

"That's the way I feel right now, it's a huge sadness once again and I missed the penalty that was so important.

"I tried so hard to be champion with Argentina. But it didn't happen. I couldn't do it."

However, his adoring fans could not believe that he would quit without winning a World Cup for Argentina.

A young Barcelona fan of Messi 11 year-old Saifullah Kafoor was surprised that he missed the penalty.

“He normally doesn’t miss penalties. At FC Barcelona everyone chooses him for it. Sometimes you make mistakes but how can he retire without winning a World Cup for Argentina like Maradona did,” he said.

He has played in three Copa America finals in 2007, 2015 and 2016 and the 2014 World Cup final, and was on the losing side every time. Argentina failed to score in all four matches.

“Maybe he is not lucky with Argentina after having come to four finals. Even Pele and Maradona have not won Copa for their country though they are World Cup winners. I think Messi has still a chance to bring one cup to Argentina. Messi is a champion,” said Ali Abdulla, an Emirati fan of the Argentine captain.

“It is silly for him to retire just because he missed a penalty,” said Linda Turner, an executive secretary in Dubai. “All his ardent fans were disappointed and shocked that Argentina lost. My husband stayed up all night to see the match.”

An Indian executive Sreejith V said he cried when Messi send his shot sailing over the bar.

“First shock was when Argentina lost and now his decision to retire. It is bad for football. He should play till the next World Cup,” he said.

An Indian housewife Blossom Raj criticised Messi for letting down the crowd.

“The stadium was full of blue. The way final turned out, it was a like a (Messi) no show. He did a stupid thing by hitting over the bar,” she said.

However, just like his team mates, another fan echoed the sentiments of many that the Argentine captain, who turned 29 two days, should not retire.

“I’m certain that he will come back from retirement. He is only 29 and he has still many more years of football. He is still the best in the world and the best don’t retire,” said Joel Jeogie, an Indian working at Emirates Airlines.

“It must be hurting to miss a penalty. The decision to retire is shocking. Argentina need him. I’m sure we will see him at the next World Cup,” he said.

A former Sri Lanka and Arabian Gulf rugby star Roger Rodrigo empathised with Messi.

“Fans don’t understand the pressures international players go through. Messi has won many games and even in this tournament he did his job to help Argentina qualify for the final. Everyone has an off day. Even David Beckham had. When the expectations are high there is pressure and losing is also part of the game,” he said.