Lionel Messi leaves Copa América final in tears with apparent leg injury
Argentina won their second consecutive Copa América on Sunday, after Lionel Messi suffered a leg injury in the second half, and defeated Colombia 1-0 in extra time.
Messi’s evening came to an early end when he was forced to leave the pitch emotionally in the 64th minute on Sunday night with an apparent leg injury. Cameras later showed him 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 score at 0-0. Messi immediately looked towards the Argentina bench as he went to the ground and remained there for a few minutes as he waited for the trainers to come out. He was helped to his feet and immediately took off his boot 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.
There was speculation during the tournament that it would be Messi’s last match in an Argentina shirt. But Messi said before the final that he plans to continue after this summer.
“As I’ve said before, I plan to keep going,” Messi said after Argentina’s semi-final win. “I plan to live day by day without thinking about what’s going to happen in the future or whether I’m going to continue or not. It’s something I just live every day. I’m 37 years old and only God knows when the end will be.”
The final also marked the end of the international career of Ángel Di María, who announced his retirement at the age of 36.
“We enjoyed him so much,” Messi said. “He always gave everything and the best of himself and to retire in a final is something he simply deserves.”
Qualifying for the South American World Cup resumes in September, with each team still having 12 games to play. Messi is expected to return to MLS action for Inter Miami against Chicago Fire on July 21. Miami are second in the Eastern Conference but their form has been erratic while Messi has been away on international duty. They now wait nervously to see what their star’s status will be.