On Sunday, Messi quit playing for the Argentine National soccer team after experiencing the fourth final loss of a major championship. Granted that he had accomplished every conceivable trophy and accolade, for some reason he is yet to lift any trophy for Argentina. Just one clarification, he did win the Youth 19 World Championships for Argentina, but for the typical Argentine fan, it does not mean much.
His announcement, which came right after the match, came as a big shock. It is understandable that he felt very upset after losing again, but quitting was not in anybody’s mind. So, one needs to wonder why he quit and is this the right decision?
The pressure to win is extremely high. His name and great successes while playing for the Barcelona team is an envy for the argentines who want him to carry the national team to its former glory. There is no question that Messi wants to fulfill those dreams, as well. But, is he going the right way about it?
His decision to quit demonstrates a missed opportunity to learn from his defeat and to grow, as a player and a human being. Athletes demonstrate who they really are when they lose. Those who thrive learn from defeats. They invest time and effort to analyze what happened and use that experience as an opportunity to improve. They have a positive mindset; they are mentally tough. And, by being tough, I mean to be able to commit to your goals, challenge yourself to be better, have control of your own cognitive and emotional process, and have the confidence to face the next professional and life tests.
He is an extremely well recognized athlete. His example of how to learn from defeat can have a major impact on young athletes who, just like him, encounter defeats on a regular basis. Had he demonstrated that he would learn and grow from his unpleasant experience, he would show that he is not only a very talented athlete, but more importantly, an individual who by example teaches others how to navigate the tough road to achieve success.