Lionel Messi took Copa America final goal celebrations away from Lautaro Martinez, with the Argentina superstar left in tears on the bench.
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All-time great forced off through injuryRolled his ankle but still lifted trophyTeam-mates look to legend for inspirationGetty/GOALWHAT HAPPENED?
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner got his hands on another continental crown after a dramatic 1-0 win over Colombia – with his record-breaking haul of major honours being taken to 45. He was, however, left filling a spectator role towards the end of that contest.
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Messi rolled his ankle on the turf at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, forcing him from the field. Emotion spilled out of the all-time great as he took up a seat alongside Argentina’s substitutes, with the 37-year-old still working his way back from an untimely injury.
GettyWHAT LO CELSO SAID
Lo Celso was among those eager to ensure that Messi was still involved in the celebrations that accompanied Lautaro’s match-winning effort against Colombia, telling of why he made a beeline for the bench: “Because of what we were experiencing after Leo's injury, who is our emblem, our captain and who always wants to be on the pitch, and unfortunately with his ankle he couldn't continue. And for us, as team-mates and friends, seeing him suffer like that is not nice.
“When the goal came, the first thing that occurred to me was to go and hug him: from the outside you suffer a lot more and I think he deserved it more than anyone else. The first thing that came to my mind after seeing him cry and suffer like that was to go and hug him and dedicate the goal to him.”
WHAT NEXT?
Messi is yet to return to competitive action with club side Inter Miami – sitting out the 2024 All-Star game in the United States, as well as his side's defence of the Leagues Cup. He should, however, be back to lead a quest for MLS Cup glory soon.