In the final match, which took place early on July 15 (Vietnam time), Argentina defeated Colombia with a minimum score of 1-0 to win the Copa America 2024 championship. Superstar Lionel Messi’s injury that required him to leave the field before the game was over was one of the noteworthy incidents. Fans were alarmed as he sobbed like it was raining while covering his face.

Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni spoke movingly about Messi’s injury and El Pulga’s unspoken sacrifice for the team at the news conference following this game.

Coach Lionel Scaloni leads Argentina to Copa America 2024 championship

“He still wants to play even with that kind of ankle. I like for the players to see that on the field. The fact that Messi, who is almost thirty years old, still wants to be here and contribute is evident to his teammates and coworkers. It’s not like he’s self-centered. What matters is that he wants to win with his teammates, which is why he wants to play.

His teammates were the reason he didn’t want to give up on them and stay in the game. as he was aware of the significance of his teammates’ support for him to stay, despite his injuries. He was destined for the field. The absence of the captain will make the team more focused when he leaves the field. I know that better than anyone else. Everyone wants something from Leo. The greatest player in history is him.”

Messi sobbed in the technical cabin after being forced to leave the field due to injury, but he continued to closely monitor everything that happened on the pitch. At the pre-extra time technical briefing, he hobbled toward his teammates with an excruciatingly inflamed ankle, determined as a team. Messi left the game with the team in mind, not because he was in pain. This is also the reason that Messi, to the Argentine players, represents a spiritual figure that will help them to win the title and move on with confidence.

Messi’s ankle is red and swollen but he doesn’t want to leave the field because he’s worried about his teammates.

Messi’s ankle is swollen

Messi cried like rain because of injury and forced to leave the field