An injured Lionel Messi was subbed out of Argentina’s Copa America 2024 final against Colombia at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Sunday.
The Argentina skipper went down in the 64th minute with an ankle injury and was seen writhing in pain before being subbed by Nicolás González. The final ended level 0-0 in regulation time after Messi trudged off the field before Lautaro Martinez struck the winning goal for the Albiceleste in the 112th minute. Martinez quickly sprinted towards Messi to celebrate the goal.
Messi tripped over himself as he chased the ball and immediately signalled towards the Argentina dugout for help. The 37-year-old was later seen covering his face while crying on the sideline as his heavily swollen right ankle was strapped with an ice pack.
Messi is in tears as he is subbed off due to injury 💔 pic.twitter.com/t0l3OLLuWf
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Earlier, Messi had bent his right foot awkwardly during the 36th minute in the first half while attempting to kick the ball out of play. He was seen grimacing in pain before rolling over numerous times after appearing to come in contact with Colombia’s Santiago Arias. He eventually walked off the field briefly before returning to play.
Messi had been dealing with a leg injury and discomfort through much of the tournament and missed Argentina’s group stage finale. He had one shot attempt in the first half.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had had injury concerns even before the final during the group-stages but affirmed that he was in full shape for the summit clash. “Against Chile I had an adductor problem and I no longer played comfortably. I was already slowed down, it bothered me when I had to stand up or move laterally.
Messi’s right ankle was taped up with an ice pack after being forced off the field. (Reuters)
“Versus Ecuador [in the quarterfinal] I arrived just in time too. I was fine from the injury, but I had it in my head that I had something wrong. In the last match I lost my fear, I felt better and for the final I will feel even better,” Mess told DSports on Saturday.
The final got underway only after a delay of more than an hour on Sunday evening because of crowd issues, including fans breaching security gates. Video posted on social media showed fans, mostly wearing Colombia’s yellow and red colors, jumping over security railings near the southwest entrance of the stadium and running past police officers and stadium attendants. Screams could be heard in the background. A handful of people could be seen receiving medical treatment and asking for water in the sweltering South Florida heat.
With AP inputs
