The Barcelona star was one of the guilty parties in the spot-kick defeat as Chile emerged with a 4-2 victory after the ill-tempered match, during which both sides ended with 10 men, had finished all square at 0-0 after extra time.

The shootout had begun well for Argentina as Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero saved from Arturo Vidal, before Messi blazed his effort high over the bar.

Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo then denied Lucas Biglia, leaving Francisco Silva with the chance to win the title for his nation and he duly obliged to condemn Argentina to another disappointing defeat in a final.

They have now not earned a major international honour in 23 years and have lost their last three tournament finals after they were also on the losing side in the showpiece match at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The result was a near carbon copy of the 2015 Copa América final, where Chile beat their arch-rivals following a goalless draw.

The loss proved hard to take for the Argentina side and saw Messi announce almost immediately after Silva’s winning spot-kick that he would retire from international football.

“It's not meant for me,” Messi said.

“For me the national team is over.

“I've done all I can, it hurts not to be a champion.

“It's been four finals, I tried.

“It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's over.

"I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, and then for everyone.

“I think there's a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it.”

Referee Hector Lopes took centre stage in a feisty first half as he brandished two red cards before the break, with Chile’s Marcelo Diaz given his marching orders for two bookable offences.

Argentina defender Marcos Rojo then followed suit two minutes from half-time as he was sent of for a reckless lunge on Vidal.

Chances proved few and far between in a fiery encounter, although Romero had to be at his best to deny Eduardo Vargas late on and Ramiro Funes-Mori made a goal-saving challenge to thwart Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez.

Neither side were able to find a winner as the match went to penalties, with Silva stepping up to secure the Copa América Centenario crown for Chile.