Is this the end?

Thats the question I have been asking for almost since

yesterday?
To begin with, I am not a blogger at all. But I have experienced some
that I could cherish for lifetime
I am Souptik Mukherjee By profession an IT consultant working in US
for last 5 years.
But above all, a proud Bengali.. Never get enough of Kolkata, eternal
#soccerlove for Mohun Bagan and Argentina.
Why Argentina? Not any other team? Really dont know. I think it all
started with Maradona when I was a kid. But over the course of time I
never felt that emotional attachment for any other international
football team.
We fought over it at friends place, social media and what not. It gets
personal everytime..
Then finally that messiah arrives in the fraternity.. Messi!!
Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata.. Argentina vs Venezuela.. That was the
trigger!! The Soccer God of our era!!
I understood the difference between watching him play in TV and
witnessing him playing live. That speed, skill.. whoa!!
Started saving money to go to Brazil 2014 World Cup. Did cost me a
fortune to make it happen. But to watch Messi play, it was priceless.
Being a small town guy form howrah, I have been to places. During my
stay in Brazil I have seen it with my own eyes, how millions of hearts
beat in the name of Messi. I dont know Spanish or Portuguese. But I
was so cordially welcomed there amongst the crowd. For hours we
screamed our heart out Viva la Argentine Vamos Messi Vamos
Argentina!!
We have players like Mascherano, Di Maria, Lavezzi, Lamela, Rojo,
Aguero and so onBut we all eye for Messi. Millions of people all
across the globe They feel that attachment, that bond with this
merely 29 years old guy who possesses his unearthly skill in soccer.
This time in 2016 Copa America Centenario finals in New Jersey, US,
and it was no difference. Got the most awaited ticket for finals. Its
time to see the God again and bow to his skills.
After 2014 World Cup, 2015 Copa America loss, we all were eyeing for
2016 Copa America Centenario finals.
Electrifying ambience, enormous support for Argentina. I have seen
toddlers to elder people in wheelchairs.. All supporting the Blue &
White brigade The whole stadium was roaring like gladiator ground.
It was a view when Argentinian players came out to ground to warm
up. But when Messi entered everybody stood up in respect. Thats the
charisma, thats the respect.
Chilean players were also seen like in awe.
Then as the match began and progressed it went quite grim. Higuain
missed couple of sitters, bad refereeing, agitation, swearing and what
not. But it was an experience to be remembered. I would give credit to

Chilean players too. They are also a treasured team with great players
like Sanchez, Vidal, Vargas and so on. Whenever Messi took off, trust
me everybody were at their feet with different emotions Chilean with
great fear and us with great joy.
But in the end, it was all rest upon Romero and Bravo couple of
legendary goalies.
Tie-breaker!! It was heart in mouth situation as I never wanted that to
happen keeping in mind Copa 15. An old Argentinian supporter started
crying already saying I got this ticket at the last moment spending
$3000 (which is nearly 2lacs INR) and I want to see Messi lift this
cup.... It was indeed a nail-biting situation.
When Romero made the first save, I saw that guy dancing just like a
kid. But then the shocker!!
Messi missed his spot kickWay over the bar. And eventually the fate
was sealed. There was nothing, absolutely nothing that could console
me along with all the Argentinian fans all across the world. After years,
I cried.. cried for the guy who hid his face in his jersey and sat in the
dug out with great disbelief Messi.
There may be thousand expert analysis for that. Di Maria, Rojo, Higuain
failed to perform to expectations, junk refereeing, luck factor, tons of
internal combustion between players and Argentinian Football
Association and what not. But that was not enough to console.
Eventually I broke when heard Messi declared his retirement from
International football. I felt clueless like many others. It might be
described in one word: emotion. He was Argentina's best player by a
long shot, but he once again left the field in tears. But Messi cant flee
the ground just like this.
We hate to say Au Revoir to this prodigy yet. He still has a lot to give.
Lot more classy football experience. I hope he changes his decision,
because he has to make it right.
If not, then this is also the end of international football for me. This is
it!!