'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Images of Argentina legend Lionel Messi's injured ankle during the Copa America 2024 final on Sunday, July 14, have surfaced. Although the night ended well for the 37-year-old, things didn't look great when he was substituted in the 66th minute of La Albiceleste's 1-0 win.
The Inter Miami attacker was also brought to tears as he was replaced and asked to take his place on the substitute's bench. Images of the injury reveal the extent of the issue, and it was seemingly impossible for Messi to continue with the swollen ankle.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was replaced by attacker Nicolaas Gonzalez. However, another substitute Lautaro Martinez made the difference in the end, bagging the game's only goal in the second half of extra time (112').
After scoring, Martinez himself headed to hug Messi, who was looking on from the bench. With the victory, the Barcelona legend has now won his second Copa America title to go with the FIFA 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar.
Messi has already had to battle injury issues to feature in five matches of Copa America 2024, bagging a goal and an assist.
To date, Messi has made 187 appearances for Argentina, bagging 109 goals and 58 assists.
Lionel Messi hoped for a perfect send-off for his Argentina teammate in the Copa America final
Lionel Messi was hopeful that his Argentina teammate Angel Di Maria could score in his final international match - the Copa America final on Sunday. However, it wasn't to be for the former Real Madrid winger.
Although Di Maria did start the match, he failed to score. Speaking before the final, Messi told Direct TV Sports (via ESPN):
"Who knows, maybe he'll score another goal in the final like he did in all the previous ones he's played in. It would be extraordinary."
Di Maria and Messi have shared the pitch 137 times for Argentina, bagging 14 joint goal contributions. The former made his senior international debut as a 20-year-old in a World Cup Qualifier against Paraguay in September 2008. He ends his Argentina career with 145 caps, bagging 31 goals and 32 assists.
Di Maria won two Copa America titles and was a part of Argentina's World Cup-winning team in 2022.
Poll : Should Lionel Messi retire from international football?
Yes
No
0 votes
