Messi made the announcement following Argentina’s defeat by Chile in the Copa America final saying the ‘national team is over for me’.
The Barcelona stay has played in four finals for Argentina and failed to win any; the 2007, 2015 and 2016 Copa America and the 2014 World Cup.
Argentine’s have been using social media to ask the 29-year-old to reconsider his decision under the hashtag #NoTeVayasLio (Don’t go, Lio) with President Mauricio Macri tweeting: “More than ever I feel a great pride for our national team. I hope that the joy of seeing the world’s best will continue for many more years. #Don’tgoLio
The hashtag has even appeared on electronic signs normally used to post traffic warnings on Buenos Aires streets.
The bronze statue was erected on Paseo de la Gloria (Glory Street), which already boasts statues of other famous Argentine sports starts such as tennis player Gabriela Sabatini and basketball player Manuel Ginobili.
