Lionel Messi Bawled on Argentina's Bench After Leaving Copa America Final With Injury
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The great Lionel Messi entered Sunday night's Copa America final against Colombia hoping he could add to his legendary legacy by leading his country's national team to a third consecutive major trophy win following Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory and 2021 Copa America championship.
Instead, he had to come out of a 0–0 game in the 65th minute due to an ankle injury. This was not how the 37-year-old wanted to leave his teammates in a huge match—in what could possibly be his final major championship—and he was quickly overcome with emotion after taking a seat on the bench.
Fox's cameras caught Messi sobbing as the moment hit him:
Messi is in tears as he is subbed off due to injury 💔 pic.twitter.com/t0l3OLLuWf
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Here was the scene as Messi was subbed out of the game:
Messi is full of emotion as he comes off early in the Copa América
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
2024 Final 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/DUkls7YCsa
Messi's ankle did not look good at all:
Messi's swollen ankle 😬 pic.twitter.com/dtZ1mQUogV
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Argentina later took a 1–0 lead in extra time and held on to win their second straight Copa America title.