Argentina overcame Lionel Messi’s second-half leg injury to beat Colombia 1-0 in extra time on Sunday to win their second consecutive Copa America title.
Messi’s night came to an early end on Sunday night when he agitatedly left the pitch in the 64th minute with an apparent leg injury, 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 in the 0-0 win. Messi looked towards Argentina’s bench as soon as he fell to the ground and remained there for several minutes while waiting for the trainers to come out. Someone helped him stand up and immediately took off his right shoe.
As he walked off the pitch, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner took off his captain’s armband and threw his shoes to the ground in frustration. Later, an emotional Messi covered his face and sobbed in his seat.
In the first half, Messi landed awkwardly while chasing the ball out of bounds and eventually fell. He grabbed his right calf and rolled several times. The trainer worked the area for a few minutes and then helped him to his feet. He slowly walked to the sideline and then returned to the game.
Messi has been dealing with a leg injury and discomfort for much of the game and missed Argentina’s group final. He had one field goal attempt in the first half on Sunday.
There was speculation during the game that this would be Messi’s last time wearing an Argentina jersey. But Messi said before the final that he intended to continue playing football beyond this summer.
“As I said before, I intend to continue,” Messi said after Argentina’s semi-final win. “I plan to continue living day by day without thinking about what will happen in the future or whether I should continue. This is what I experience every day. I am 37 years old and only God knows when it will end .
The final indeed marked the end of Angel Di María’s international career, as he announced his retirement at the age of 36.
“We like him very much,” Messi said. “He always gave it his all and showed his best self and he deserved to retire in the final.”
The South American World Cup qualifiers will resume in September, with teams playing 12 more games. Messi is expected to return to Major League Soccer on July 21, playing for Inter Miami against the Chicago Fire. Miami is second in the Eastern Conference but has been inconsistent during Messi’s absence from the national team. They will now nervously await the status of their star.
