Twitter trolls Shahid Afridi after Lionel Messi's retirement from international football
After the shock retirement of Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi from international football, cricket fans took to Twitter to troll Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi. The all-rounder, who is called ‘Boom Boom’ by his fans, had previouly retired from international cricket only to return a couple of times.
Many argued for Messi to make a return just like Afridi has in the past, with ‘Be Like Bill’ memes changed to ‘Be Like Afridi’ memes.
Dear Messi,
— Ojas. (@Ojasism) June 27, 2016
This is Afridi.
Afridi announces his retirement.
Afridi announces his comeback.
Repeat.
Afridi is awesome.
Be like Afridi.
While some trolled Afridi for his previous retirements, some also questioned him on when he will eventually retire. Although the 36-year-old has retired from Tests and ODIs, he is still an active player in the T20 format.
Since the start of 2015, Afridi has taken just 16 wickets in 21 T20I matches at an average of 34. His form with the bat has been on the wane for a while now and over the last year and an half, he has scored just 263 T20I runs at an average of 14.61.
Afridi started his international career way back in 1996 as a teenager. He has since played 27 Tests, 398 ODIs and 96 T20Is for the Men in Green.
Here are some of the funniest tweets on Messi and Afridi:
Messi has retired at the age of 29, That's the age when Afridi was 17 years old.
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) June 27, 2016
Reporter: "Will you reconsider your decision?"
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) June 27, 2016
Messi: "No. I'm Not Shahid Afridi." ;)#LionelMessi
Has Shahid Afridi retired again...for the 786th time?
— Raman (@being_delhite) June 27, 2016
Why is he trending with #Messi?
When Messi was asked about his retirement.
— Comedywalas (@Comedywalas) June 27, 2016
Shahid Afridi pic.twitter.com/kBiCVm2Sok
Wanna compare Messi's retirement with Afridi's but don't wanna disrespect Messi
— Ghumman (@Emclub7) June 27, 2016
Really hope #Messi idolizes Afridi in respect of retirements
— Iyeronical (@LosingMotion) June 27, 2016