Lionel Messi’s incredible passion for Argentina should never be doubted after a special camera showcased his desire to see his country succeed at the Copa America.
Argentina defeated Colombia on Wednesday in their semi-final clash to set up a huge showdown with 2019 Copa America champions Brazil.
Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring for Argentina at the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha, but Luis Diaz brought the scores level for Colombia in the second half.
Neither Argentina nor Colombia were able to break the deadlock ahead of full-time, with both sets of players stepping up for the penalty shootout.
Messi, Leandro Paredes and Martinez all scored their respective penalties, while Udinese midfielder Rodrigo De Paul missed from the spot-kick.
During the nail-biting shootout, a camera was specifically focused on Messi and the Argentina captain’s passion was on full show.
They had a special camera focused only on Leo Messi during the semi-final penalty shootout between Argentina and Colombia!
His passion for the Argentine shirt is unmatched!!! 🇦🇷👑 #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/Gf0MzDllmq
— infosfcb (@infosfcb) July 7, 2021
A special camera focused on Messi shows the intense minutes during the semifinal penalty shootout between Argentina and Colombia! #CopaAmerica
THE PASSION 🤩🇦🇷❤️pic.twitter.com/enpk77Fyll
— mx (SUSPENDED) (@MessiMX10i_) July 7, 2021
The 34-year-old Argentine forward’s hunger to see Argentina reach the final was evident in his brilliant reactions to his teammates scoring their penalties.
However, Messi was also comforting the likes of De Paul when he made the walk back to his Argentina teammates after missing his penalty.
One of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s reactions during the shootout included his brutal taunting of Yerry Mina after Emiliano Martinez denied him from the spot-kick.
Messi is HYPED 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7uT7XHsC3t
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 7, 2021
¡La emoción de la figura! 🇦🇷 Lionel Messi y todos sus compañeros fueron a felicitar al héroe Emiliano Martínez 🧤
🇦🇷 Argentina 🆚 Colombia 🇨🇴#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/1mhOqjnzhQ
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 7, 2021
One Twitter user wrote: “I’ve not seen Messi this happy in a very looooong [sic] time. I pray and hope he wins it. He really deserves it.”
A second tweeted: “I’ve not seen Messi this animated and happy in a while, it’s heart-warming. Hope he wins it this time. He really deserves it.”
And a third added: “The passion for his national team is so unmatched.”
Someone else said: “And people have the audacity to say he’s not a leader.”
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| Credit: PA |
Aston Villa shot-stopper Martinez was in fine form for the shootout as he denied Edwin Cardona, Davinson Sanchez and Mina from the spot-kick.
Messi hailed the 28-year-old Argentine as a “phenomenon” as Martinez’s heroics fired Argentina to the final of the Copa America.
“We have Emi, who is a phenomenon,” he said.
“We trusted him. We achieved the goal of being able to play all the games and now we are going to the final.”
Argentina will clash with Brazil in the Copa America final at the Maracana on 11th July.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter