Oh, christ. Not again.

Spare a thought, wherever you are, for Lionel Messi, as arguably this generation’s greatest player is tonight searching desperately for a hole big enough to hide in.

Messi and his Argentinian side were yet again on the brink of the promised land: a major international tournament victory. The side had only conceded two goals total in the tournament up until that point, and had largely steamrolled their way through the group and knockout stages en route to a berth in the final against Chile, who they’d previously dispatched in a group-stage match 2-1.

This time around, however, Chile were more than up to the task, matching Argentina in a rough, ugly-at-times, rarely spectacular contest that saw referee Heber Lopes struggle to maintain civility, whipping out a pair of red cards that definitely caused a few wrinkled brows.

But with the scores locked at nil-all after 120 minutes of regular and extra time play, penalty kicks were needed to determine who’d hoist the cup.

At which point Messi, as he’s so often done before, stepped up to the spot and, well…

(Dramatic Titanic music added for effect).

Sweet merciful hell that’s heartbreaking. Chile went on to take the win, the final, and the cup 4-2 on penalties.

Messi, quite understandably, was inconsolable. Heartbroken. Another big win for his beloved home land cruelly slipping through the fingers.

Surely the internet would be kind to him in this dire hour of need, right?

Nope.

Crying Jordans.

Crying Jordans everywhere.

The internet, ladies and gentlemen.

Source: Twitter.

Photo: Mike Stobe/Getty.

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