These are definitely not the best of times for Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi. He may need some quiet time to ruminate about his football career and contributions to the success of Argentina national team at the world stage.

Argentina were edged out of the Copa America semi-finals earlier today after falling 2-0 to their archrival Brazil, extending the country’s drought at clinching a major international trophy despite having one of football’s GOAT (Greatest of All Time).

It is one of a series of international woes for Messi, who has scored just four goals in 20 knockout stage matches for his nation, this is why he may need to ruminate about being celebrated and worshipped in a foreign land and not getting same accolades from his country.

While fans of his major rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who no doubt stands at par with Messi in club significance and triumph, are excited that their idol led his nation Portugal to win the UEFA Nations League last month, just three years after winning the Euro 2016, but same cannot be said about the fans of Messi.

READ ALSO: Who was a better midfielder? Zidane, Xavi comparison divides Twitter

Fans of the two football juggernauts, who have dominated the football world for over a decade sharing World best awards between themselves, never leave any chances at taunting and mocking their opposing camp whenever Messi or Ronaldo fails to deliver at the club or international stage.

Presently Ronaldo fans are having a field day on Twitter day following Argentina’s loss.

Messi’s football wizardry on the big stage is being questioned by football fans on social media and many have opined that failure to win an international trophy for his country may be a huge regret that will linger on for long when the five-time Ballon d’Or winner eventually hangs up his boots.

Many have also tagged him a ‘local champion’ for being an underachiever on the international stage but a formidable force at club level.

Fans in his country are also disappointed that a football sorcerer who has been at the heart of Barcelona’s triumphs for more than a decade can not lead his nation to a major international triumph in over a decade.

 

See some of the reactions:

 

My attention has been drawn to the fact that His Excellency, Lionel Messi failed to turn up against Brazil yesterday.

Messi should stop this Baba behaviour

He Oppresses people locally in Barca,
But humble and meek when he travels for international Engagements.

— Ebube The Statesman (@akaebube) July 3, 2019

Messi should retire from Argentina and join Nigeria, He will win the #Afcon2019 with us.

#NGA #AFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/JhwuyJc0TJ

— Anything #PR (@thisissegun) July 3, 2019

Messi fans behave like the supporters of one Head of State I know

If Barca wins, they hail him “Sai Baba Messi”

When the Country(Argentina) is failing, they blame SP Aguero, Speaker Higuain and everyone else but their MCM. #WorldGoatDraggingDay

— Ebube The Statesman (@akaebube) July 3, 2019

Messi just can’t complete this game ? pic.twitter.com/Ha0SAGdzcB

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 3, 2019

All I’m saying is, Cristiano put more effort on the sideline injured on crutches than Messi did last night…pic.twitter.com/uNSRyFgyH7

— Tom Mellor (@MellorFootball) July 3, 2019

Alisson Becker in the past 18 months has knocked Messi out of 3 cup competitions, my ? pic.twitter.com/hBoynyddrn

— Billal Skanda (@BillalSkanda) July 3, 2019

Maybe Argentina would have won if Messi was the one retired instead of Higuain.

Higuain carried them to 3 major finals, but fans keep blaming him because they want to protect Messi’s fraud legacy.

Besides, we know Messi will disappear in the k/o stage pic.twitter.com/BlbH0j1OXY

— ⚡️ (@MyHumbleProject) July 3, 2019

Messi carrying the Argentina squad on his back in every international tournament like… pic.twitter.com/j5PDWRS9P5

— ECFC Grecian (@EcfcGrecian) July 3, 2019

Your ? is under the ‘view more’ section, meanwhile the true ? was up there making the difference, and lifting the cup. ??

There’s levels to this shit.

Ronaldo > Messi pic.twitter.com/VRPExccqDn

— TV (@TomVella2000) July 3, 2019

 

Dear Ronaldo,

I’m writing to you to ask you how you manage to win 2 international trophies without the like of Marcelo, Casemiro, Modric, Bale, Sergio Ramos, Dybala, Matuidi, Kean, Higuan and co in your team. Please answer me back.

Leo Messi ✍? pic.twitter.com/EEtb0CUuv2

— YurAlhaji (@theFUTAboi) July 3, 2019