15 July 2024 , 08:57
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Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi was forced off with an ankle injury in the Copa America final against Colombia in Miami on Sunday and was seen in floods of tears
Lionel Messi was left in tears after suffering an injury in the Copa America final.
In the 63rd minute of Sunday’s match between Argentina and Colombia, Messi attempted to chase down winger Luis Diaz when he lost and footing and came crashing to the ground. The 37-year-old appeared to be in a considerable amount of pain, immediately calling for trainers to come assist him.
After remaining down on the ground for several moments, Messi took of his cleat and limped off the pitch under his own power. Upon reaching the Argentine sideline, he angrily tossed his shoe and sunk into his seat.
Once he sat down, Messi could no longer contain his emotions, letting out a wave of tears while burying his face in his hands. Teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Angel Di Maria were the first to rush over and embrace him when regulation ended in a 0-0 tie.
Earlier in the 36th minute of the first half, Messi suffered another injury scare while attempting to save the ball before it crossed out of bounds. After getting off a kick near the end line, the Argentine captain awkwardly planted his right foot and appeared to have his left ankle rolled up on by Colombia’s Santiago Arias.
Messi was seen wincing in pain and rolling on the pitch, clutching his lower right leg. Medical staff quickly rushed to his side, attending to him for several minutes. He gingerly walked towards the sideline, but managed to return to the game shortly after.
Messi failed to control his emotions ( Image: FOX)
Entering Sunday’s, Messi was already dealing with a leg injury that had affected him throughout this year’s Copa America. Last month, he was unable to participate in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Peru in the group stage finale.
It remains to be seen if Sunday’s unceremonious departure will mark the last Copa America appearance for Messi. On the heels of scoring his 109th international goal in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Canada, the Inter Miami star expressed a desire to represent his national team beyond this year’s final.
"As I’ve said before, I intend to continue," he told reporters. "I intend to keep living day by day without thinking about what will come in the future or whether I’ll continue or not. It’s something I just live each day. I’m 37 years and only God knows when the end will be."