During the Copa America final, Lionel Messi's night took a turn for the worse as he was forced to exit the field in the 64th minute due to an apparent leg injury. The 37-year-old Argentine star was seen with a badly swollen right ankle while sitting on the bench after leaving the pitch.
The injury occurred as Messi was running at full speed on the field in a match where Argentina was facing off against Colombia. It appeared to be a noncontact injury, and Messi immediately signaled to the Argentina bench as he fell to the ground. Trainers rushed to his aid, and after a few minutes, he was helped to his feet, visibly in pain.
As he made his way off the field, Messi removed his captains armband and threw his shoe in frustration. The emotional toll of the injury was evident as he was later shown on the bench covering his face and visibly upset.
Earlier in the game, Messi had already shown signs of discomfort after landing awkwardly while chasing a ball out of bounds in the first half. Despite receiving treatment on the field, he continued to play before eventually succumbing to the injury in the second half.
Throughout the tournament, Messi had been dealing with a lingering leg injury that had caused him to miss Argentina's group stage finale. Despite his efforts to play through the discomfort, his performance was hindered, with just one shot attempt in the first half of the final.
As one of the most decorated footballers in history, Messi's early exit from the Copa America final was a disappointing moment for fans and teammates alike. His health and recovery will now be a top priority as he looks to bounce back from this setback.
For more Copa America coverage and updates, visit AP Copa America coverage.
