Lionel Messi left the Copa América final on Sunday due to a foot injury.
Lionel Messi faced a heartbreaking moment during the Copa América final on Sunday when he was forced to leave the match due to an ankle injury in the second half. Despite this setback, Argentina emerged victorious against Colombia, winning 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Lautaro Martínez during extra time.
The incident occurred in the 63rd minute when Messi fell to the ground and immediately signaled to his teammates. Although he tried to continue, he limped to the sideline and had to be substituted just a few minutes later. His departure left the game tied at zero, and Messi was visibly upset as he took his place on the bench, tears streaming down his face as the reality of the situation hit him.
Initially, the specifics of his injury were unclear. However, it was later seen that his right ankle was wrapped in ice, and a noticeable bruise was visible once the wrap was removed. Earlier in the match, Messi had also taken a hard tackle, leading him to clutch his ankle, but he managed to play on until the injury became too much.
At 37 years old, Messi has struggled with various leg injuries throughout the year, including a thigh injury during the group stage against Chile that kept him out of the final group match against Peru. Argentina had already secured a spot in the knockout stage by that point, which allowed him to rest.
Entering the final, Argentina was already the reigning champion, having won both the Copa América and the World Cup. With Messi, a record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, watching from the sidelines, Argentina celebrated their 16th Copa América title. This victory allowed them to break a tie with Uruguay for the most titles in the tournament's history, while Colombia missed out on claiming their second championship.
Before the match even began, the atmosphere was tense. Fans at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium created chaos by rushing the gates and breaking down barriers in their attempts to get inside, regardless of having tickets. In response to concerns about crowd safety and potential injuries, authorities temporarily opened the stadium gates to manage the situation and prevent fans from being crushed.
Despite Messi’s injury, the team showcased their resilience and determination, ultimately leading to a memorable victory that fans will celebrate for years to come.
