Lionel Messi limped off with an ankle injury in the second half of their Copa America final against Colombia. The Argentine superstar was seen to be in tears on the bench but his teammates came through for their captain by delivering the Copa America title.
The eight-times Ballon d’Or winner hurt his ankle in the 36th minute of the final against Colombia but soldiered on until the 66th minute when he limped off the field in tears, before strapping an ice pack to his swollen ankle on the bench.
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With the game finely poised at 0-0 when the 37-year-old departed, Argentina raised their game and Lautaro Martinez struck in extra time to secure a 1-0 victory and a record 16th Copa title.
Skipper Messi went on to lift the trophy alongside longtime teammates Angel di Maria and Nicholas Otamendi, both 36.
After the celebrations, Messi took ot social media to post an update on his injury.
“Copa America is over and the first thing I want to thank everyone for the messages and greetings. I’m doing well, thank God, and hopefully soon I can be on the court again enjoying what I love doing most,” Messi wrote on Instagram.
“We are a team and also a family, a spectacular group. Thanks to everyone who was supporting us, this national team has a lot of present and a lot of future, too. Let’s go Argentina,” Messi added.
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Though the extent of Messi’s ankle injury is not yet clear, it could mean he will miss some games for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Argentina will return to action in September in World Cup qualifying against Chile and Colombia. The Argentines lead South America. That international window will give more hints about whether Messi’s legend will go on or stop at the continental title.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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