its an image a heartbreaking one at that which will stay in the mind of every soccer fan forever after argentina lost to chile in the final of the copa america centenario in a penalty shootout argentina skipper lionel messi was seen sobbing uncontrollably in fact the worlds best footballer was so distraught that he announced his international retirement after the game however he is not the only one to have broken down on the field after a shattering defeat heres presenting some instances when sporting icons just couldnt control their tears after a lossfootball lionel messi 2016 one can understand how hurt messi felt as this is argentinas third straight loss in three years in a major final last years copa america and world cup final 2014 worse he even missed a penalty this time messi was just inconsolable after this loss james rodriguez 2014 the colombian striker eventually went on to win the golden boot that year for his six goals in the world cup but that was no consolation because his team lost in the quarterfinal to brazil he was in tears after the final whistle and brazilian player david luiz was seen applauding his efforts and consoling him mario balotelli 2012 the temperamental italian striker clashed with the members of his own teams backroom staff after the euro final which his team lost to spain later after collecting his medal he completely broke down andrea pirlo 2012 one of italys alltime favorite players pirlo was more graceful in defeat as compared to balotelli after the loss to spain however the emotional player couldnt hold back his tears as his team failed to clear the final hurdle john terry 2006 its always tough to emotionally cope with a loss in the penalty shootouts that too in the world cup after england lost to portugal in the quarterfinal their star player terry was in tears cristiano ronaldo 2004 in the final of the euro cup portugal were the overwhelming favorites against greece but greece defied all odds and pulled off an upset win which left ronaldo a teenager then sobbing uncontrollably diego maradona 1990 having taken argentina to the world cup final almost singlehandedly maradona was inconsolable after an illtempered and controversial final which his team lost to west germany he was seen crying even during the presentation ceremonytennis roger federer 2009 who says men dont cry after losing in an exhausting australian open final against rafael nadal federer wept uncontrollably on the podium for more than five minutes in fact he had trouble completing his speech as his voice was choked with emotionscricket the sobbing trio morne morkel and ab de villiers in 2015 vinod kambli in 1996 no matter how hard they try south africa just dont seem to find a solution to losing in crunch games of big tournaments in the world cup semifinal last year they came agonizingly close but lost to new zealand in the last over this left morne morkel who bowled