Messi Forced Off With Injury in Copa America Final
In an unexpected turn of events during Sunday's Copa America final against Colombia, Argentina's captain, Lionel Messi, was forced to exit the game in the 66th minute due to a non-contact injury. The much-anticipated match, held at Hard Rock Stadium, became tense as Messi, who was pivotal for Argentina throughout the tournament, signaled to be substituted after slipping and falling just a minute earlier.
The incident occurred in the 65th minute when Messi slipped on the pitch and immediately felt discomfort. Observations from the field indicated that his hamstring was the issue. The Argentina captain then signaled towards the sideline, suggesting the necessity for an immediate substitution. Nicolas Gonzalez came in to replace him as the score remained level at 0-0.
Messi’s distress was palpable as he walked towards the bench with one shoe off and promptly sat down. The cameras captured the emotional moment when Messi burst into tears, offering a candid glimpse into the player’s agony. The stands reverberated with chants of "Leo! Leo!" showing visible support for the heartbroken star.
This wasn't Messi's first brush with injury during the tournament. Earlier in the 35th minute of the same match, he was fouled by Colombia's Santiago Arias, an event which seemed to aggravate his ankle. However, in a testament to his tenacity, Messi managed to continue playing for another half-hour before his hamstring forced him out of the game.
Messi had previously shown signs of potential injury in Argentina's 1-0 victory over Chile, where he briefly stepped off the field due to discomfort in his thigh. Despite this, he played the entire 90 minutes of that match. Interestingly, Messi chose to sit out Argentina's group stage finale against Peru, a decision that, in hindsight, might have been influenced by his need for recuperation, especially since Argentina had already secured their quarterfinal spot.
Entering the tournament as defending champions, Argentina was poised to build on their success from the 2021 Copa America win. The final match against Colombia was a high-stakes, goalless battle that remained tense throughout the game. As Messi’s hamstring issue unfolded during the final, it cast uncertainty over Argentina's efforts to secure the championship once again.
The full extent of Messi's injury and its implications for his future on the field remain unknown. In his words, Messi expressed the challenges he faced right from the beginning of the game, "I felt some discomfort in my right hamstring at the beginning of the game. It was tight. It wasn't as loose as it should've been. But I was able to finish the game. We'll see how it goes." The situation puts a shadow over Argentina’s campaign and Messi’s upcoming fixtures.
While Argentina has showcased remarkable talent and resilience, Messi's potential absence could be a critical blow. The aftermath of this incident will undoubtedly be watched closely by fans, analysts, and the sports community, eager to know more about the condition of one of football’s greatest players.