Argentina ran out winners in the Copa America for a second straight tournament, after beating Colombia in the final 1-0, courtesy of a goal from Lautaro Martinez. It was a momentous night in of itself, but in particular for Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria.
Messi ended up having to come off after 65 minutes, and broke down in tears on the bench. He twisted his ankle in the first half, and could not continue in the second after stepping awkwardly again. However his teammates came through for him, and Messi was able to lift a third straight title for the Albiceleste.
It was Messi’s 45th trophy of his career, making him the most decorated player in history, surpassing Dani Alves’ in the process, who is currently appealing a rape conviction. The Barcelona legend and Inter Miami star lifted his third trophy with his national team.
Arguably it was even more meaningful for di Maria, who played his final game for Argentina.
“It was written, it had to be this way, I told the boys last night at dinner, that it was the last Copa America and it ends here. I dreamed that we reached the final, I dreamed that I won it and I retired this way,” di Maria said after the match, as quoted Sport.
Messi lifts up the trophy once again !!! 🇦🇷❤️ pic.twitter.com/76unxFQ0TD
— Messi Media (@LeoMessiMedia) July 15, 2024
“I know this because I experienced the other side too, for 10 years fighting for it, fighting for it, it is not easy, reaching the finals and winning them and now it is happening. It’s like that, at some point it had to happen.”
The ‘noodle’ as he is known, ends his Argentina run with two Copa Americas to his name, and a World Cup. He racked up a total of 145 caps and scored 31 goals, most notably two of them coming in the 2021 Copa America final against Brazil, and the World Cup final against France. Currently a free agent after leaving Benfica, he has been linked with a move to Besiktas in Turkey this summer.
