Lionel Messi Fans to Hold Mass Demonstration After Star's Argentina Retirement

Lionel Messi's retirement from international football has prompted quite a response from his fans in Argentina, with over 100,000 people reportedly set to march in the centre of Buenos Aires to persuade the Barcelona superstar to reverse his decision. 

According to Goal's Daniel Edwards, the Obelisco monument in Buenos Aires—where Argentina fans often congregate to celebrate success—has been named as the venue for the rally.

On the event's Facebook page (via Edwards), it reads: "This Saturday July 2 at 6 p.m. (10 p.m. BST) we are all going to the Obelisco to show him our affection and our hopes he will continue wearing the Argentina shirt. Come on Messi, don't give up on us!!!"

There has also been a statue of the diminutive forward unveiled in his country's capital, per Bleacher Report UK:

Per BBC Sport, Messi, 29, announced his retirement from the Argentina national side following their 2016 Copa America final defeat to Chile in a penalty shootout on Sunday.

It is his third major final defeat with Argentina in as many years, following 2015's Copa America loss—also to Chile on penalties—and 2014's World Cup final defeat to Germany in Brazil.

Messi was also on the losing side to Brazil in the 2007 Copa America final, the year before he claimed his only significant silverware with La Albiceleste, an Olympic gold medal in 2008.

By contrast, he has won many trophies with club side Barca over the last decade—eight La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey titles, four UEFA Champions Leagues and three FIFA Club World Cups—while carving out a deserved reputation as the best player on the planet.

It has never translated into glory on the international stage, though, and despite the calls from his compatriots for him to continue playing for Argentina, it is unlikely Messi will return after falling so agonisingly short so consistently.