The great Lionel Messi entered Sunday night's Copa America final against Colombia hoping he could add to his legendary legacy by leading his country's national team to a third consecutive major trophy win following Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory and 2021 Copa America championship.
Instead, he had to come out of a 0–0 game in the 65th minute due to an ankle injury. This was not how the 37-year-old wanted to leave his teammates in a huge match—in what could possibly be his final major championship—and he was quickly overcome with emotion after taking a seat on the bench.
Fox's cameras caught Messi sobbing as the moment hit him:
Messi is in tears as he is subbed off due to injury 💔 pic.twitter.com/t0l3OLLuWf
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Here was the scene as Messi was subbed out of the game:
Messi is full of emotion as he comes off early in the Copa América
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
2024 Final 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/DUkls7YCsa
Messi's ankle did not look good at all:
Messi's swollen ankle 😬 pic.twitter.com/dtZ1mQUogV
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Argentina later took a 1–0 lead in extra time and held on to win their second straight Copa America title.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi Bawled on Argentina's Bench After Leaving Copa America Final With Injury.
