Even as the world prays that Leo Messi reconsiders his decision to retire from international football, Twitterati are wondering why Pakistan veteran Shahid Afridi hasn't still bid goodbye to cricket
In what left the world shocked, Lionel Messi on Monday announced his retirement from international football after missing in a penalty shootout as Argentina lost a fourth major final in nine years.
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"For me, the national team is over." he said after defeat by Chile in the Copa America final. "I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion."
Lionel Messi turns his back to international football
Messi, 29, has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with Spanish side Barcelona. But his only major international honour is Olympic gold at the 2008 Games.
As well as losing two Copa America finals on penalties to Chile, Messi was in the Argentina side beaten 1-0 by Germany in the 2014 World Cup final. The forward, who was been awarded the Ballon d'Or five times, was also on the losing side against Brazil in the 2007 Copa America final.
"It's been four finals, I tried," added Messi, who made his debut for Argentina in 2005 and has played 113 times for his country. "It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's over.
But even as the world mourned Messi's exit, Twitterverse -- which is a parallel universe -- saw Shahid Afridi trending. Why? Well, because people were wondering when Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi would retire permanently from the game.
Former leg-spin great Abdul Qadir is among those. Qadir, known for his candid comments, had at a function in Lahore recently advised the flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder to say goodbye to cricket. The legend had said that Afridi had aged and was no longer fit for top level cricket. "I don't think cricket is any longer the forte of Afridi and he should say goodbye," Qadir said.
Twitterati seem to agree and were are their sarcastic best as they targeted the veteran Pakistan cricketer. The social media platform was abuzz with jokes on the 36-year-old all-rounder who had hinted that World T20 in 2016 would be his last.
Afridi had asserted that though he was relinquishing his captaincy post he would be available for selection as a player in the team even. This despite PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan making it clear that the all-rounder was no longer a surety in the side.
When will Shahid Afridi retire from international cricket? seems to be the question on everyone's minds.
"My profound thanks to the PCB and its Chairman Shaharyar Khan who gave me the honour to lead the national team. I would also like to inform that InshaAllah I intend to continue to play the game for my country and league cricket etc. and request my fans for kindly keep praying and supporting for my best future performances for Pakistan (as a player); and in all other arenas of the game, world over."
Afridi has played in 27 Tests for Pakistan and represented the nation in 398 ODI matches.
Afridi is unlikely to find a spot in Pakistan's T20 squad in the near future, but he wants to remain in contention for a berth.
And so while the world is praying and hoping that Messi reconsiders his retirement decision, there are many who are wondering why Afridi hasn't said goodbye to the game of cricket already.
When Messi was asked about his retirement.
— Comedywalas (@Comedywalas) June 27, 2016
Shahid Afridi u00e0u00a4u0085u00e0u00a4u0082u00e0u00a4u00a4u00e0u00a4u00b0u00e0u00a4u00b0u00e0u00a4u00beu00e0u00a4u00b7u00e0u00a5u008du00e0u00a4u009fu00e0u00a5u008du00e0u00a4u00b0u00e0u00a5u0080u00e0u00a4u00af u00e0u00a4u00abu00e0u00a5u0081u00e0u00a4u009fu00e0u00a4u00acu00e0u00a5u0089u00e0u00a4u00b2 pic.twitter.com/kBiCVm2Sok
Dear #Messi bi like shahid afridiu00f0u009fu0098u0082u00f0u009fu0098u0082u00f0u009fu0098u0082 pic.twitter.com/CMzqNJgwKO
— SULTAN BHAIJAN (@javidunia) June 27, 2016
Can messi take his retirement back like shahid afridi did everytime or Altaf hussain did in politics.
— Waleed Nasir (@waleednasir00) June 27, 2016
Messi, Zaheer Khan, Shane Watson, McCullum. Legends retired in 2016.
— Aashna (@_clumsilly) June 27, 2016
Doesn't that clearly indicate no chance of Shahid Afridi retiring yet?
Reporter: "Will you reconsider your decision?"
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) June 27, 2016
Messi: "No. I'm Not Shahid Afridi." ;)#LionelMessi
Has Shahid Afridi retired again...for the 786th time?
— Raman (@being_delhite) June 27, 2016
Why is he trending with #Messi?
Inspired by #Messi, If Shahid Afridi
— Raman (@being_delhite) June 27, 2016
offers to resign for the nth time,
How will you react?
The Only Comeback Chance Of #Messi is to Send A Friend Request To Shahid Afridi
— An MSD Fan ©® (@FailuresWay) June 27, 2016
Dear #Messi,
— Nishant (@Nishant1404) June 27, 2016
Please be like Shahid Afridi. Even if he retires every year, yet he comes back after every retirement.
Thanks!!
Oh, okay. Looks like Shahid Afridi has announced retirement from international football.
— Anuradha (@anuradha_kush) June 27, 2016
Today is Shahid Afridi 's 17th birthday. He will announce his retirement from International Cricket in all formats.
— IndianFox (@riksec08) June 27, 2016
When Shahid Afridi retired 1st time #Messi made his debut..:-D
— Anish Verma (@anish_verma4) June 27, 2016
#MessiRetires from Football. When shall @SAfridiOfficial be retired now?
— u00e0u00a4u0085u00e0u00a4u00a8u00e0u00a4u0082u00e0u00a4u00a4 u00e0u00a4u009cu00e0u00a5u0088u00e0u00a4u00a8 (@AnantGJ) June 27, 2016
The only thing you didn't want from all this is to share legacy with Shahid Afridi. Lala will now tell his grand kids about this similarity.
— Nikhil Menon (@multimenon) June 27, 2016
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