AMERICAN striker Lionel Messi hobbled out to celebrate when teammate Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive goal to help Argentina win the 2024 Copa America.

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In the noisy atmosphere of cheering at Hard Rock Stadium on the evening of July 14 (local time), Argentina and Colombia tried to play tight and not afraid of collision. Both teams had opportunities in 90 minutes but missed.

The most notable development was probably Messi’s departure from the field. He sprained his right ankle in the 37th minute, but tried to play on. In the 64th minute, the Argentine captain fell, leading to a more serious injury without any strong collision with anyone.

Messi left the field in tears with his right ankle swollen. The image made many Argentine spectators present at the stadium cry. They then chanted “Messi, Mess” together and raised their arms high and then lowered them to show respect for the 37-year-old superstar.

Sitting on the bench, Messi watched his teammates go into extra time.

In the 112th minute, Argentina counterattacked and scored a golden goal. After Rodrigo De Paul cleared the ball, it went through Giovani Lo Celso’s feet and was passed to Lautaro Martinez who rushed down. The newly-entered striker immediately shot hard in a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Vargas, scoring the opening goal.

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Messi was impatient, standing on the sidelines.

After Martinez scored, the whole team rushed to the sidelines to celebrate. Despite his sore ankle, Messi still hobbled, tiptoed out of his position and waved his arms to show his excitement. The superstar number 10 only stopped when members of the coaching staff ran to hug him to share the joy.

The final eight minutes and more than four minutes of injury time were tense. But Argentina’s vast experience in finals helped them defuse the pressure, slowing down the pace before celebrating their victory together. Immediately after the final whistle, teammate Lisandro Martinez (right) ran towards Messi to hug the captain and share his joy.

Messi continues to reap glory in the final stage of his career. Copa America 2024 is his 45th title, helping the superstar born in 1987 become the player with the most collective titles in football history, surpassing Dani Alves – his former teammate at Barca with 44 titles. Highlights in his collection of titles include a World Cup, two Copas, an Olympic gold medal, four Champions Leagues, 10 La Ligas.

Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo shared a kiss as the players’ families were allowed to join in the celebrations. This was the third time the pair had celebrated on the pitch in the past four years, following victories at the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup.

Messi and Roccuzzo are childhood sweethearts, having known each other since they were nine years old, and have been together for more than 20 years. They married in 2017 and have three sons.

As captain, Messi stood up to receive the Cup. He then invited two of his close friends from the national team, midfielder Angel Di Maria (left) and Nicolas Otamendi (right), to represent the team to raise the trophy. All three are veterans and this could be the last tournament for the team.

Argentina became the team that won the Copa America the most times, with 16 times, surpassing Uruguay (15 times).

They also won three major tournaments in a row, Copa America 2021 and 2024, with the 2022 World Cup in between. That achievement is equal to Spain’s Euro 2008, 2012 and World Cup 2010.

Messi and Argentina lifted the Copa America 2024 championship cup.

The win over Colombia was also a tribute to Angel Di Maria, who retired from international football with 145 caps and 31 goals. The midfielder grew up in Rosario – Argentina’s most unstable region – and has played alongside Messi for the national team since 2007, winning the 2008 Olympics, two Copas and a World Cup.

After the match, Di Maria cried as he and his wife waved to the fans who were chanting his name from the stands. The 36-year-old winger said: “I dreamed of retiring like this. I had so many beautiful emotions. I am forever grateful to this generation for helping me achieve what I have always been looking for.”

Argentina’s success cannot be mentioned without the contribution of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. This time, the 1992-born goalkeeper kept five clean sheets, only conceding one goal in the quarter-finals against Ecuador, but became a hero in the penalty shootout.

Martinez continues to be honored as an excellent goalkeeper, such as at Copa America 2021 and World Cup 2022.