If Messi had equal amount of criticism and mockery from fans like Ronaldo then he would probably retired from football all together .. Very weak move from supposedly the greatest player of all time

bbc reports Messi is retiring

Lionel Messi now thinking about U-turn . You know I still hold my opinion that if your captain , and leader quits than he should be stripped of captaincy . How many football boys dream of becoming captain of their national team one day ? ALL OF THEM !

He doesn't have the character and if he is real leader he should give up his captaincy because he threw it away by announcing his retirement at 29 . That is not the man to lead Argentina . I welcome his U-Turn but not welcoming his captaincy . I think Captain should be Mascherano who no matter what works his a7s off .

In England we have the same problem . Having a captain like Rooney who is completely unmotivated player and can't put same effort and believe into his teammates . It should be someone else who has the hunger that is contagious .

@Marcus2011 I agree Rooney doesn't have the charisma and leadership to be captain and Messi is not much better. That doesn't make them bad people or player, they're just not leader. However, if he does come back, I'm pretty sure they'll give him back the captain armband, they will do everything they can to please him and keep him as long as possible.

@Emobot7 I also want to see Messi as captain when he return back.

Entire team is collapsing. Martino resigned today. Looks like the biggest issues were behind the scenes with the AFA. Argentina might not even compete on the Olympics.

I'm not one to bark out much, but seeing some things here, on the net via Twitter, Facebook, ect... Just brings me back to reality

I mentioned it early on in the thread. This is more than just Messi. The AFA is a total bust right now and they just might have to sit out the Olympics. Messi has nothing to do with that and yet everyone and their mom blames him and thinks he is a quitter, that he is weak, and not this and that.

No one is in his shoes so all we say is just opinion. Seeing as none of use are playing on the Argentina team, with Barca, or playing in any league that finds itself against Messi and company, all we are is couch critics. Opinions are like A$$holes, everyone has one, and some of them stink really bad.

2cents :P

meeesi is a quiet he lost my respect.He is telling kids its ok to quiet.i consider that a pussy move

I see where you are coming from @liverpollfcangryfan. I just think there is too much put into all this, especially considering more players than just Messi have left the team. Opinions are opinions though and I do respect yours. :)

If you were Argentinian you'd understand or maybe you'd be one of the ones that would criticize him no matter what.
Messi has led this team to 3 finals in 2 years... he got blamed for the loss of all 3. The only one that you could probably...probably...give him the blame for is the last one when he missed the penalty after Romero had saved Chile's. But even then, it is very impartial because he did an amazing game, getting through 3 players and then having no one to pass too, so guess what? The ball got taken off him, and "Oh, Messi played crap, they always got the ball off him, etc".
I didnt expect him to resign, tbh, but I totally understand it, because he takes the brunt of everything despite there being other 10 players on the team. I heard someone say the other day "You win as a team and you lose as a team". Haven't heard anything that makes more sense lately.
You cannot compare it to Ronaldo. Ronaldo is a great player but at national level he is not necessarily expected to win much because he does not have an amazing national team. He has got far in the Euro but no one expected it. Messi is kind of obliged to at least, at least, get to the final. He has that pressure. He gets them there and gets "truncado" as we say. :(
It seems he is surely coming back anyway but above is my opinion on the matter!

@DarthFooty Wow... someone who shares views with me. Some people are so blind they just comment without having a clue... You made my day with your common sense!! :)

more than a captain you're a magician ! disappearing for almost the whole tournament and lifting the trophy at the end !

^ wow, just wow. I am completely speechless.

Ronaldo finished tied for second in goals scored an added an assist...but knowing that would require knowing what you're talking about.

Remember the name because this guy is example of how skinny boy turned himself into football machine and success thriving individual !

@sunflash 2 against hungary and a header against wales , wow a truly great tournament by ronaldo

and sheesh take it easy fanboys , it is only a joke

i never expected Ronaldo to be a 30 goal a season goalscorer because he is NATURAL WINGER . He has done terrific job not just as team player , captain but as individual player as well .

Marcus why post the Picture here? Is it maybe because you want to generate arguments were none are needed?