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Lionel Messi has hinted at his international future after leading Argentina to the Copa America 2024 final with a 2-0 win over Canada on Tuesday, July 9. The Inter Miami forward said that 'these are the last battles,' with La Albiceleste set to take on either Uruguay or Colombia in the final on Sunday.
Messi ended his Copa America 2024 goal drought with a strike to double Argentina’s lead against Canada in the 51st minute. An Enzo Fernandes strike from the edge of the box was deflected off the Argentina captain to catch Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau off guard.
Julian Alvarez opened the scoring after being set up by Rodrigo De Paul in the 22nd minute.
“I am aware that these are the last battles, and I am enjoying them to the fullest,” Messi said after the win, as quoted by DSportsRadio (via @AlbicelesteTalk on X).
The goal was Lionel Messi’s 109th in his 186th appearance for the national team, making him the second-highest goal scorer in international football history. He surpassed Iran legend Ali Daei’s record of 108 goals, with only Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo (130) ahead of him.
It was also Messi’s 14th goal in his 38th Copa America appearance. He has now scored in six different editions of the tournament, having previously netted in 2007, 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021.
Lionel Messi reaches 7th major international tournament final with Argentina at Copa America 2024
With the 2-0 win over Canada at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Lionel Messi has now reached his seventh major international final with Argentina. The talismanic forward reached his first major tournament final at the 2007 edition of the Copa America, where Argentina were beaten 3-0 by Brazil.
Messi then led his side to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final in Brazil, with Argentina suffering heartbreak with a 1-0 loss to Germany. Mario Gotze scored the only goal of the game in the 113th minute.
La Albiceleste then made consecutive Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016, losing on both occasions to Chile. Messi finally won his first international trophy at the rescheduled 2021 edition of the South American championship in Brazil, beating the hosts 1-0 in the final.
Argentina then went on a fairy tale run to beat France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Lionel Scaloni’s side beat Les Bleus 4-2 on penalties after the game was tied 3-3 after extra time to clinch their third World Cup title.
Lionel Messi will now look to lift his third consecutive major international title by beating either Uruguay or Colombia in the final at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Sunday, July 14.
