Lionel Messi Overcome with Emotion on Bench After Exiting Copa America Final Due to Nasty Ankle Injury
Lionel Messi was reduced to tears after suffering what appeared to be an injury right around the 64th minute of Sunday’s Copa America final.
The global soccer superstar seemed to injure himself as he ran after a ball and looked as though he planted his foot the wrong way before tumbling to the ground.
Lionel Messi was seen crying after exiting the Copa America final.Screengrab via X/@FOXSoccer
Clearly in pain, Messi lay on the ground before an Argentinian team trainer came out to check on him.
Messi was eventually able to rise to his feet and walked off the pitch seemingly limping as the Argentina fans at Hard Rock Stadium gave him a standing ovation before his team went on to beat Colombia 1-0 for their second-straight Copa America title.
The Argentinian striker threw his shoe in frustration once he made his way into the dugout.
Moments later while sitting on the bench, Messi was seen in tears and covering his face after he was subbed out of the game for Nicolás González.
Later, the Fox broadcast showed Messi with ice on his severely swollen right ankle, at least temporarily giving some hope that the injury isn’t as serious as it could be.
Messi was still overcome with emotion as the camera panned to him and fans could be heard in the background chanting his name.
He was walking in sandals while celebrating with his teammates after the victory.
Lionel Messi of Argentina ankle after suffering an injury during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024.Getty Images
At the time of the injury Argentina and Colombia had been scoreless.
One of soccer’s biggest names has been dealing with a leg issue for much of the tournament and missed Argentina’s group stage finale and there had been questions whether Messi would play against Ecuador in the quarterfinals.
Lionel Messi of Argentina’s ankle after suffering an injury during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024.Fox
Earlier in the match, Messi had seemed to go down with a leg injury in the first half after awkwardly planting his foot while chasing down a ball and then seemingly taking contact from Colombia’s Santiago Arias.
Messi remained in the game following that instance though.
He had one shot attempt in the final.
