Distraught Lionel Messi weeps after being subbed out of Argentina’s Copa America final matchup with Colombia following noncontact leg injury
A distraught Lionel Messi sat crying on the Argentina bench after being substituted in the 64th minute of the Copa America final against Colombia in Miami.
The moment was made even more emotional as it was likely that the 37-year-old was nearing the end of his legendary spell at La Albiceleste.
“Messi cries after being taken out of a game with a non-contact injury, possibly his last for Argentina,” NFL Network’s Rich Eisen wrote on X. “Crushing.”
“Messi has given so much to his country and is in tears because he is not on the pitch to give Argentina one more win,” added ESPN’s Herculez Gomez. “Let’s hope it’s not serious. Legendary.”
Messi appeared to suffer an injury as he ran across the pitch at full speed, with reigning champions Argentina still without a goal against Colombia.
Messi was seen crying on the Argentina bench after being substituted in the 64th minute
Messi, in what could be his final appearance for Argentina, was substituted in the 65th minute
Messi appeared to suffer a non-contact injury as he ran across the pitch at full speed
Messi immediately looked at the Argentine bench as he went to the ground. He remained there for a few minutes when the trainers came out. He was helped to stand and immediately took off his shoe on his right foot.
As he walked off the pitch, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner removed his captain’s armband and threw his boot to the ground in frustration. An emotional Messi was then shown covering his face and sobbing in his seat.
Messi went down in the first half after landing awkwardly while chasing a ball out of bounds. He rolled over several times while clutching his lower right leg. Coaches worked on the area for a few minutes before helping him to his feet. He walked slowly to the sideline before returning to play.
Messi has been struggling with a leg injury and discomfort for most of the tournament and missed Argentina’s group stage final, having attempted one shot in the first half on Sunday.
It is unclear whether the conditions on the field, a concern during the tournament, played a role in his injury.
Either way, an injury to Messi would further tarnish a tough day for Copa America and its organizing body, CONMEBOL.
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Panicked fans try to enter Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Sunday amid chaos
Argentine fans cry after traumatic scene before Sunday’s Copa final
Colombia and Argentina fans try to pass through the gate amid mass unrest
In the hours leading up to the scheduled 8 p.m. kickoff, chaos ensued in Miami on Sunday as large crowds of fans were nearly crushed outside the gates of Hard Rock Stadium, with hundreds of fans forcing their way out.
In response, organizers decided to open all gates to prevent a potentially dangerous stampede and moved kickoff from 8 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. When it was deemed safe, security resumed normal access procedures at all gates, stadium officials said.
More than a dozen people were arrested and dozens more were seen receiving medical treatment from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, USA Today reported. In one violent incident, a man with what appeared to be a journalist’s credential walked through the media entrance, only to be tackled and handcuffed by officers.
The chaos began hours before the scheduled kickoff when fans grew frustrated with delays caused by heightened security in the intense 90-degree heat. Some in the crowd, including children, could be heard howling in pain as hordes of fans crowded around the entrance. Eventually, dozens of fans in yellow Colombian uniforms forced through the metal gates and ran onto the stadium grounds as Miami-Dade police desperately tried to contain the situation.
Spectators were later seen standing in the aisles before the game as the massive crowd seemed to outweigh the available seats at Hard Rock Stadium. Univision estimated that an additional 7,000 fans were in attendance, adding to the 65,000 capacity. And in a confusing scene, Colombian fans were filmed crawling through vents to gain access to the stands.