Lionel Messi and Neymar shared a long embrace after the Brazilian sought out his friend to congratulate him following the end of the Copa America final.
Messi finally got his hands on an international trophy, with Argentina winning their first piece of silverware since 1993 by beating Brazil.
The 34-year-old had been involved in three previous Copa America finals, losing to Brazil once and Chile in 2015 and 2016.
At the final whistle, Messi’s teammates all ran towards their countryman to celebrate with him, lifted him up in the air and were clearly as happy for their teammate as themselves.
But it wasn’t just his colleagues who congratulated him as former Barcelona teammate Neymar sought out his friend and the pair shared a long embrace.
Nothing but respect between Messi and Neymar π€
They share a long hug after the Copa America Final pic.twitter.com/7dudMVsF5l
β FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2021
Neymar after the final whistle π
Moments later, though, he went and hugged Lionel Messi in a crowd of celebrating Argentina players.
Class. pic.twitter.com/lADFE71rND
β Goal (@goal) July 11, 2021
A minute long hug between Neymar & Messi, many emotions coming down. pic.twitter.com/2yXoHxMY6m
β ππ π ππππ π (@TheEuropeanLad) July 11, 2021
Neymar actually came over to congratulate MESSI with a warm hug despite going through the agony of defeat. Such a beautiful man.
May this bromance NEVER die #CopaAmericaFINAL pic.twitter.com/vDEDfgAzxnβ Rabiul Hassan (@Rabiul__INC) July 11, 2021
Nothing but respect for Neymar! Messi has been there 4 times ney! Greatest are those who stand tall after falling again and again! Ggs to Brazil for playing a mad 90 mins! And Neymar you have many years ahead of you! #CopaAmericaFINAL pic.twitter.com/KEPqiKgPjs
β AM. (@akm_theone) July 11, 2021
It really was a touching moment from the PSG forward, considering that he just went through heartbreak and is also yet to win a major trophy with his country.
Neymar’s back injury during the 2014 World Cup ended his campaign early, before the team crashed out to Germany in the semi finals.
Brazil did win the Copa America on home soil two years ago but once again injury denied the former Santos, as he missed out on the whole tournament.
 |
| Neymar with his runners up medal. Image: PA Images |
Neymar did win the Olympics on home soil in 2016 but as that competition is predominantly under 23 players it is not considered a major trophy.
Messi’s only previous silverware with his country had also come at the Olympics, but that all changed on Saturday night.
It’s a true mark of Neymar’s friendship with Messi that at the end of the match he was able to forget his own pain to congratulate his friend.