Argentina's Lionel Messi Sobs After Going Down In Copa America Finale With Apparent Injury
Argentinian soccer phenom Lionel Messi was subbed out of Sunday's Copa America finale versus Colombia after sustaining an apparent foot injury.
Messi limped off the field under his own power, and the G.O.A.T. was visibly emotional on the bench as he watched. Before walking off, Messi writhed on the pitch, stretching out his right leg and attempting to play through the injury.
Messi burst into tears on the bench, covering his face as teammates consoled him. Argentina's medical staff wrapped Messi's right foot and packed it with ice.
The close-up shots of Messi's injured foot on the Fox broadcast revealed significant swelling.
Before subbing out of the game, Messi had experienced a lower-leg injury 35 minutes into the match.
Despite Messi's best efforts to play through the injury, colliding with Colombia's Santiago Ares, he suffered another setback after 20 minutes when his right leg buckled, seemingly re-injuring the foot.
Argentina and Colombia headlined a chaotic final at Hard Rock Stadium after 7,000 extra fans entered the venue without tickets.
Argentina Outlast Colombia In Extra Time
Playing through the superstar's absence, Argentina and Colombia played into extra time. Argentina's Lautaro Martínez subbed into the game in extra time and broke the stalemate in the 112th minute, putting Argentina ahead, 1-0. Martinez finished with the most goals in the Copa America tournament, scoring his fifth goal on Sunday.
Argentina held on and secured their second-straight Copa America title.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 14: Lionel Messi of Argentina leaves the field with an injury during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final match between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium on July 14, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi (R) reacts after leaving the pitch after picking up an injury during the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament final football match between Argentina and Colombia at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami, Florida on July 14, 2024. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP) (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images)
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