Lionel Messi, Buenos Aires Celebrate Argentina's Copa América Title

The streets of Buenos Aires erupted with chants and celebrations when Argentina won its first Copa América title since 1993.

Argentina's 1–0 win over Brazil on Saturday to win the Copa América is the country's first major international title since 1993 — the last time it won the Copa América. And with the historic win comes a historic celebration. 

This marks Lionel Messi's first ever title with Argentina ever since he started competing internationally in 2005 (he won Olympic gold in 2008, but the Olympics are considered a youth tournament). The celebrations started on the pitch, with Messi being tossed in the air by his teammates before being gifted the trophy that eluded him and his country for so long. He also video chatted with his family before the party moved to the locker room.

Lionel Messi is hoisted into the air by his Argentina teammates. What a moment to cap this #CopaAmerica triumph

(via @FoxSoccer) pic.twitter.com/7f4NWoC25I

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) July 11, 2021

A moment that's been a career in the making: Lionel Messi hoists a major trophy for Argentina 🇦🇷 #CopaAmerica

(via @FoxSoccer) pic.twitter.com/RL18AM2NPL

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) July 11, 2021

Messi might never let this trophy go 🏆❤️ pic.twitter.com/p54SZXt2dz

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2021

🤩🔟📱🥇#CopaAmérica#VibraElContinente#VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/Av4B3knLms

— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ (@CopaAmerica) July 11, 2021

Un minuto de silencio... pic.twitter.com/PJkKzY6Rbq

— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) July 11, 2021

On the other side of the celebrations was heartbreak for Brazil and Neymar, Messi's former Barcelona teammate who came to congratulate him amid all of the postgame activity on the field. 

Neymar congratulates Messi with a hearty hug between friends after Argentina captures the #CopaAmerica title. Respect.

(via @FoxSoccer) pic.twitter.com/UL4RTGobzo

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) July 11, 2021

The streets of Buenos Aires celebrated the win like only of the most storied countries in the sport's history could. With the win, Argentina tied Uruguay with the most Copa America wins in history with 15. 

It took 28 years, but Buenos Aires got its celebration as well.

Milhares de torcedores vão chegando no Obelisco, em Buenos Aires, para celebrar a conquista da Argentina na Copa América.

via @asenjo88 pic.twitter.com/q5mWZqYw2m

— O Canto das Torcidas (@OCantoOficial) July 11, 2021

El "Brasil, decime que se siente", suena en Buenos Aires. 🇦🇷⚽💗🎵 pic.twitter.com/Xq3pK5HQnY

— Geraldine Carrasquero ⚽🎙️ (@GeralSports7) July 11, 2021

🏆 🇦🇷 #CopaAmerica | Comienzan los festejos en Av. Corrientes y el Obelisco en Buenos Aires pic.twitter.com/85M0fVsSfT

— Agencia Télam (@AgenciaTelam) July 11, 2021

➡️ | 00.21 Tigre, Buenos Aires 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/CpYgWYHyuB

— Mundo en Conflicto 🌎 (@MundoEConflicto) July 11, 2021

Celebrations were even happening in Barcelona too, even though Messi's contract with Barcelona has expired and he's currently a free agent. He's fully expected to re-sign with the only club he has ever known as a professional. 

04:48
Arc de Triomf.
Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/Z0KOVyR7YS

— Francesc Garriga (@fgarriga) July 11, 2021