Messi smiled happily as Argentina successfully defended the Copa America title.
In the 64th minute, Messi lay down on the field and held his face in pain. The Argentine captain had to leave the field in the 66th minute and Nico Gonzalez was his replacement. Immediately after that, the camera turned to Messi in the technical area with the image of him holding his face and sobbing. Many fans who love Messi also started to cry because they were worried about him. It was an understandable moment when Messi was very sad that he could not continue playing, because the 2024 Copa America final could be the last big match of Messi’s career for the Argentine national team.
Previously, Messi hinted at the possibility of leaving the Argentina team after the 2024 Copa America final. Messi’s close teammate Di Maria also said goodbye to the Argentina team after the match against Colombia.
Without star Messi on the field, the Argentina team had Lautaro Martinez play the hero role with a “golden” goal in the 112th minute. Lo Celso had a perfect pass for Lautaro Martinez to accelerate past the last Colombian defender and beat goalkeeper Vargas to score the only goal to help Argentina win the 2024 Copa America.
Outside the field, Messi smiled happily as the match entered the third minute of extra time. Messi understood that glory with the Argentina team was within reach. Messi became even greater when he won three consecutive championships with Argentina in two major tournaments including Copa America 2021, World Cup 2022 and Copa America 2024. This is an achievement equivalent to the super miracle that Spain achieved with three titles EURO 2008, World Cup 2010 and EURO 2012. Argentina also set a record of 16 Copa America championships.
As for Messi, his personal record is 39 matches at Copa America, the most assists (18 times) and twice won the best player award in 2015 and 2021. There is no argument when the majority of fans recognize the owner of 8 World Ballon d’Or and 2 World Cup Ballon d’Or as the greatest player in football history.
Squad:
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Montiel, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico, De Paul, Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez.
Colombia: Vargas, Santiago Arias, Sanchez, Cuesta, Mojica, Rios, Lerma, Jhon Arias, James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz, Cordoba.
