Argentina won their second straight Copa América championship, overcoming Lionel Messi’s second-half leg injury to beat Colombia 1-0 on Sunday in extra-time.
Messi’s night ended early when he emotionally exited the field in the 64th minute with an apparent leg injury on Sunday night, and cameras showed him later on the bench with a badly swollen right ankle.
The 37-year-old appeared to suffer a non-contact injury while running at full speed with the game at 0-0. Messi immediately looked toward the Argentina bench as he went to the ground and remained down for several minutes as he waited on the trainers to come out. He was helped to his feet and immediately took his shoe off his right foot.
As he walked off the field, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner took off his captains armband and threw his shoe to the ground in frustration. An emotional Messi was then shown covering his face, sobbing in his seat.
Messi crying after a non-contact injury knocks him out of the game, perhaps his last for Argentina. Crushing. pic.twitter.com/MuNowyv583
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) July 15, 2024
Messi went down in the first half after landing awkwardly when chasing a ball out of bounds. He rolled over several times as he grabbed at his lower right leg. Trainers worked on the area for a few minutes before helping him to his feet. He walked slowly toward the sideline before returning to the game.
Messi had been dealing with a leg injury and discomfort through much of the tournament and missed Argentina’s group stage finale. He had one shot attempt in the first half Sunday.
There had been speculation during the tournament that it would be Messi’s last competition in an Argentina shirt. But Messi said before the final that he intends to continue beyond this summer.
“As I’ve said before, I intend to continue,” Messi said after Argentina’s semi-final win. “I intend to keep living day by day without thinking about what will come in the future or whether I’ll continue or not. It’s something I just live each day. I’m 37 years and only God knows when the end will be.”
The final did mark the end of Ángel Di María’s international career, who announced his retirement at 36 years old.
“We’ve enjoyed him so much,” Messi said. “He’s always given his all and the best of himself and that he will retire in a final is something he simply deserves.”
South American World Cup qualifying resumes in September, with each team scheduled to play 12 more matches. Messi was expected to return to MLS action for Inter Miami against the Chicago Fire on 21 July. Miami are second in the Eastern Conference, but their form has been erratic while Messi has been away on international duty. They will now nervously wait on the status of their star.
