HILARIOUS! Shahid Afridi trends as Lionel Messi retires - Here's why

The reason behind fans remembering Boom Boom came hardly as a surprise.

New Delhi: Argentina skipper Lionel Messi announced his shock retirement on Monday after his side's loss to Chile in the Copa America final.

While the five-time Ballon dÓr winner will continue to represent Barcelona, fans will miss the genius in action at the 2018 unless he has a change of heart. 

As the world debated and discussed reasons behind Messi's decision to bow out, Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi was trending on social micro-blogging site Twitter. 

The reason behind fans deriving pleasure, on a rather gloomy day for world sport, at the expense of Boom Boom came hardly as a surprise. 

With the 29-year-old Messi retiring, cricket fans fondly remembered the multiple u-turns from the 36-year-old Pakistani over his retirement.

Dear #Messi be like Shahid Afridi pic.twitter.com/EGMm1J2oDK — Tab (@DearTabisshtaha) June 27, 2016

When Messi was asked about his retirement.

Shahid Afridi अंतरराष्ट्रीय फुटबॉल pic.twitter.com/kBiCVm2Sok

— Comedywalas (@Comedywalas) June 27, 2016

Has Shahid Afridi retired again...for the 786th time?

Why is he trending with #Messi? — Raman (@being_delhite) June 27, 2016

Messi has retired at the age of 29.

Shahid Afridi had already retired 29 times. — Shebas Tendulkar (@ShebasTendulkar) June 28, 2016

After a poor performances at the Asia Cup and WT20, many believed Afridi would announce his retirement.

While he stepped down as skipper of the side, there was no news on the retirement front.