Messi left the field in the middle of the second half due to an ankle injury. The physical pain was 1, but the mental pain was probably 10 times greater, making him unable to hold back his tears. But in the end, he and Argentina still enjoyed the glory of victory.

If at EURO 2024 , people often mentioned the tireless efforts of the two “veterans” Ronaldo and Pepe – who commentators often jokingly commented that the 80-year-old couple was on the field (Ronaldo was 39 years old, Pepe was 41 years old), then at Copa America 2024, the Messi – Di Maria couple (37 and 36 years old respectively) also showed their will, steel spirit as well as incredible endurance when they were on the other side of the slope of their careers.

What a funny thing about fate and football. In just one day, the boy sitting in the bathtub, now 17 years old, has just won the EURO 2024 championship with the Spanish team; and the man in white has just won the Copa America 2024 championship.

The Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia in the early morning of July 15 (Vietnam time) was tense before it even started when the match had to be postponed for 75 minutes because fans rioted and knocked down the gate to the stadium. This was Messi’s last match in the Copa America, and perhaps that’s why many fans didn’t want to miss the moment of seeing his quick steps dancing the last Tango in the South American arena.

Messi’s Last Tango at Copa America: Tears of Regret and Happiness

Messi is still passionate in every match at the age of 37

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This is also Di Maria’s last Copa America.

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Messi and his teammates are the reigning Copa America champions and have also reached the pinnacle of world football at the 2022 World Cup. Despite having “had enough of the rice and the sweet soup” of titles from both club and national team levels, Messi still plays hard as if every match is the last time he plays football.

During a defensive assist in the 37th minute, Messi lost his footing and collided with Colombia’s Santiago Arias. He fell to the ground with a pained expression on his face. He was taken to the sidelines for medical treatment and then struggled to get up and return to the field with a limp.

Messi in pain with ankle injury

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He was treated by medical staff on the sidelines.

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Image of Messi’s swollen ankle

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In fact, during the Copa America journey, Messi had problems with his leg injury several times and missed the final match of the group stage. In the 65th minute, Messi was lying on the field in pain and had to leave the field to make way for Nicolas Gonzalez when the score was still 0-0. On the Argentina bench, he burst into tears. The image of Messi with a tear-stained face and a swollen ankle under a medical bandage made the hearts of fans ache.

These images of Messi remind him of his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo at EURO 2016. In the final match against France, Ronaldo also left the field in tears due to injury and had to sit on the sidelines to cheer for the team. Despite not being able to continue playing, both Ronaldo in 2016 and Messi in 2024 finally enjoyed the joy of victory with the championship trophy in their continent. Coincidentally, after the two stars left the field, their teams won with the only goal in extra time.

Lautaro Martinez’s precious goal in the second half of extra time helped Argentina successfully defend their Copa America title. The first person Lautaro Martinez ran to hug and celebrate was Messi.

Lautaro ran to hug Messi after scoring a precious goal

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Ronaldo burst into tears in the EURO 2016 final

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After Lautaro’s goal, Di Maria was also taken off in the 116th minute. Like Messi, his tears fell in the last time wearing the national team’s shirt in this playground. Although there are still many regrets for the two stars in their last Copa America, the most important thing is that Argentina won the championship, they enjoyed the joy of victory in the shirt they love.

Di Maria also burst into tears when leaving the field.

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The joy of the Argentine players

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Messi and his children celebrate after the match

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The moment of lifting the championship trophy

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Argentines celebrate on the streets of Buenos Aires

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For the second time in a row, the Argentines enjoyed the joy of victory in this arena.