This one was for Lionel Messi, who sat from the Argentine bench with free-flowing tears following a right ankle injury that swelled after his exit in the 64th minute.
This was for Angel Di Maria, the big-game goal scorer playing in his final match with Argentina. He took the captain band from Messi until his exit, where he hugged Messi on the bench to cap his international career.
And this one is for Argentina, the 2024 Copa America champions, after a 1-0 win over Colombia in a final that was eventful to say the least.
Lautaro Martinez, the club’s leading scorer this Copa America, scored another in the 112th minute of extra time to help Argentina make history.
“We thought Lautaro would find a chance and blast it toward the net,” Argentine national coach Lionel Scaloni said of Martinez, a late substitute who scored five goals for the club during Copa America.
Argentina won Copa America 2021. They won the Qatar World Cup in 2022. And this Copa America title, the 16th all time to lead all other countries, is the third major international crown they earned in a three-year span.
Argentina is one of the greatest dynasties in soccer history, and they completed their Copa America run without their best player – even after the match was delayed at least an hour and 20 minutes due to unruly fans without tickets breaching security gates two hours before the game.
Messi tried to run with a head of steam in the 64th minute before he fell to the pitch, and immediately signaled for trainers.
Messi’s right cleat was removed. The captain band was also taken off his left arm. And he slowly limped to the Argentine bench before he burst into tears after his exit.
Messi’s right foot was visibly swollen, as captured by the FOX broadcast after he removed his bandage and ice.
“Leo is the greatest player in history. He never wants to leave the pitch,” Scaloni said. “He has a swollen ankle and wants to keep playing. His teammates see that. He wants to play because he’s not egotistic or selfish. He wants to play because he doesn’t want to leave his teammates on the pitch when he’s in the condition.”
Messi sustained the right ankle injury during the first half. He tried to chase down and make a kick before the ball went out of bounds. But when Messi planted his right foot, it bent in an awkward position as he made a kick with his left foot.
But you couldn’t notice Messi’s pain when it was time to celebrate.
Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions led by Messi, won its its second straight Copa America title.
Colombia was unable to extend its 28-game unbeaten streak. They’ve lost their last two matches against Argentina.
“Today we played the best team in the world that’s marking an era. I think we measured up. Even if we’re sad, I want to congratulate our players,” Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo said.
USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights from Sunday night’s match in Miami:
