After 16 years, 151 caps and plenty of heartache playing for his country, a relieved Lionel Messi ended his wait for an international trophy on Saturday night – and his emotional reaction at the full-time whistle says it all.
La Albiceleste ended their dreadful record in finals with a narrow 1-0 win against Brazil, as an Angel Di Maria strike in the 22nd-minute secured the historic win.
After losing seven consecutive finals since they last lifted the Copa America trophy in 1993, it was an emotional moment for Lionel Scaloni and his team and, as soon as referee Raphael Claus blew the full-time whistle, every single Argentina player rushed over to Messi.
The way they all rushed to celebrate with Messi after the final whistle like he just scored a goal. The love 🥺❤️pic.twitter.com/CmJ0PluRZs
— Neymar PR 🇦🇷 (@Bagofnuts_) July 11, 2021
🇦🇷 🏆 Every Argentinian player went to celebrate with Messi after the final whistle.
What a moment! pic.twitter.com/prE4G0t26G
— Photos of Football (@photosofootball) July 11, 2021
Messi, who had been a beaten finalist on four separate occasions in the build-up to this year’s Copa America, was in tears after the final whistle. He then embraced former teammate Neymar and celebrated with his teammates, before calling his son on FaceTime.
Messi to his family: I did it. I finally did it. I did it Mana.
(via Copa América) pic.twitter.com/HWbZJrqIOR
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) 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
— AM. (@akm_theone) July 11, 2021
The 34-year-old said the happiness he felt was ‘indescribable’ as he ended the international trophy duck.
“The truth is that this is crazy,” he told TyC Sports. “There would be no better moment than this. The happiness is immense, I knew that at some point it was going to happen. The happiness I feel right now indescribable.
“After the last Copa I told these players that they will be the future of the National Team. I was not mistaken, and now today we are champions.
“I had a lot of confidence in this group, which has grown in strength since the last Copa America. They are a group of very good people, who advance and do not complain.
“I’m very happy. I dreamed about this many times.”
Messi in 2021:
38 games
33 goals
14 assists
26 MOTM awards
Most goals, most assists in La Liga
Most goals, most assists in Copa America
Copa del Rey 🏆
Copa America 🏆Ballon d’Or number 7 on the way?#goatchallenge pic.twitter.com/d8ntePn5fw
— Khubab Zaheer (@Khubab_1) July 11, 2021
Should Messi win the Ballon d’Or for the seventh time after another wonderful season for club and country?
Let us know in the comments.