Lionel Messi was visibly emotional as he left the Copa America final early due to a severe right ankle injury, marking the first time he had done so in his career.
His tears reflected deeper disappointment beyond the physical pain. Despite winning the title, Messi’s injury has cast doubt on his ability to pass fitness tests needed to participate in his sixth World Cup in 2026.
Argentina secured their South American title with a hard-fought 1-0 extra-time victory over Colombia. Messi departed in the 64th minute at Hard Rock Stadium, showing visible distress despite not being tackled.
This Copa America was Messi’s first major tournament since leaving European football for Major League Soccer in the US, where he has faced occasional absences from both Inter Miami and the Argentine national team due to muscle issues.
His troubles began with muscular pains in his right leg during the group stage against Chile, sidelining him for the subsequent game against Peru.
In the quarterfinal against Ecuador, Messi’s performance was lackluster, and he missed a crucial penalty in the shootout. He scored his only goal of the tournament in the semifinal victory over Canada.
Despite winning his second Copa title with a noticeable limp, Messi celebrated modestly on the field. The injury continued to trouble him the following day.
On social media, he posted simply: “One more.” Messi did not address the media after his injury, and Argentina provided no specifics about the extent of the damage.
While Messi’s future with the national team remains uncertain, other players over 35, such as Ángel Di María (36), Nicolás Otamendi (36), and Franco Armani (37), are likely nearing the end of their international careers.
Argentina boasts a mix of experienced players and promising talents, with an average squad age of 28 excluding veterans. This contributed to their resilience against Colombia despite Messi’s absence for over half the game.
