Remember the UEFA Euro 2016 final when Cristiano Ronaldo got injured and left the pitch in tears? Well, a similar incident has now transpired in the Copa America 2024 final between Argentina and Colombia with, yes you guessed it right, Lionel Messi. The skipper was forced to leave the pitch during the important clash just about the hour mark.

Since the inception of the tournament, we haven’t got to see the best of La Pulga. However, the finale of the tournament turned out to be a nightmare for Messi, who couldn’t even complete the whole game, leaving his beloved nation for each man on their own. Unfortunately, matters have taken the turn for worse as reports suggest that the 37-year-old’s injury is certainly bad news.

That isn’t the only distressing update as after Messi sustained the injury, he was crying while limping off the field. Even after he sat on the bench, the Inter Miami star was crying so badly that it would remind you of the time when he lost the 2016 Copa America final and announced his retirement. Whether he was crying due to injury or with the fear of losing the final is something that only Messi knows.

For now, his absence off the pitch remains the biggest problem for Argentina. Neither side has drawn first blood as they desperately try to push each other’s buttons. It remains to be seen which side will come out on top, but the match may likely go towards the extra time. Penalties are something that Argentina both has an advantage and disadvantages.

Regardless, with their leader off the pitch, all responsibilities are shoulders on the rest of the Argentinian players. As for Messi, his Copa America journey has surely ended on a bad note when looking at the individual front.

Lionel Messi didn’t turn up well for the Copa America 2024

It seems like the whole Argentina squad was ready for the CONMEBOL-based tournament, except for Lionel Messi. Sure, going goalless throughout the tournament is one thing to say but the concern mostly here is about his fitness. Since the beginning of the tournament, the FC Barcelona icon has remained injury-prone. One incident during the group stage clash vs Chile even saw him sustain a heavy tackle, which eventually forced him to miss the final group stage game against Peru.

Though he played the next games, Messi himself acknowledged that he wasn’t at his best and had been playing with a knock. Now, today’s injury saw him just chasing down Luis Diaz until he somehow got imbalanced and fell. The pain must have relapsed which eventually saw him head to the bench. Whatever it may be, let’s hope it’s not serious. Otherwise, his domestic season with Inter Miami may come in jeopardy.