Lionel Messi brutally mocked Yerry Mina after the Colombia star’s penalty was saved in Argentina’s Copa America semi-final win on Wednesday.
Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring for Argentina inside the opening 10 minutes at the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brazil.
However, Luis Diaz pulled back an important second-half equaliser for Colombia as the semi-final clash was decided via a penalty shootout.
Messi, Leandro Paredes and Martinez all converted successfully from the spot-kick, but Udinese midfielder Rodrigo De Paul missed his penalty for Argentina.
Meanwhile, Juan Cuadrado and Miguel Borja scored their respective penalties for Colombia in the shootout.
However, Davinson Sanchez and Mina didn’t enjoy the same fortunes as Cuadrado and Borja as both players missed their penalties.
Mina, 26, went viral last weekend for his extravagant celebration after scoring a penalty in Colombia’s shootout win over Uruguay in the quarter-finals.
ESTAMOS MELOS, MINA 🇨🇴#VibraElContinente #CopaAmérica pic.twitter.com/A6sEDPC0zU
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 4, 2021
The Everton centre-back’s over-the-top penalty celebration during the Uruguay clash came back to haunt him in the semi-finals.
Mina stepped up for his penalty and watched on as Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez denied him with a superb save.
The Colombia international’s miss brought much delight to Messi, who started celebrating and appeared to shout something at Mina.
According to CBS Sports’ Nico Cantor, Messi pulled no punches as he yelled at Mina, ‘How about dancing now?’
“HOW ABOUT DANCING NOW?” yells Leo Messi to Yerry Mina after his penalty kick is saved by Dibu Martínez. This is the Messi all of Argentina wants to see. Fired up and in it ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/0mFXzVdru5
— Nico Cantor (@Nicocantor1) July 7, 2021
Messi Shouting “DANCE NOW “after Mina’s penalty miss 😂😂
Passion for the country 👑#Argentina pic.twitter.com/dM1pQPe4ea
— 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 🖤 (@Kittu__10) July 7, 2021
Messi was shouting “DANCE NOW” to Yerry Mina after he missed the penalty LOOOOL 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/SRekhMxWJO
— MC (@CrewsMat19) July 7, 2021
One fan said: “This is the Messi we’ve all seen for the past decade with Argentina, except [Argentines].”
Someone else tweeted: “His excitement and hunger with Argentina is always a notch higher.”
While a third wrote: “I really love this version of Messi, TBH.”
And a fourth added: “This is the kind of Messi we want! Hardened!!!”
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| Credit: PA |
Messi, who is currently a free agent after his Barcelona deal expired, has been in excellent form for Argentina at this summer’s Copa America.
The 34-year-old Barcelona legend has scored four times and registered five assists, with Messi hoping to end his long drought for a major piece of silverware with Argentina.
Argentina will now face 2019 Copa America champions Brazil in the final at the Maracana on 11th July.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter