
Argentina have lifted their 16th Copa America title, with their biggest star Lionel Messi likely bidding farewell to international football. Who knows, if the soccer lord, Messi will try to break the 39 years of Ronaldo to 40 years before he retires.
The game in the US city of Miami, which was delayed by more than an hour after thousands of fans without tickets tried to enter the stadium, was a cagey affair for more than 90 minutes but opened up in the extra period on Sunday.
In the 112th minute, Argentina supporters went crazy as Lautaro Martinez—the tournament’s top scorer—latched onto a precise through ball from Giovani Lo Celso and lifted his effort over advancing Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
Martinez’s right-footed goal, his fifth of the tournament, went between the upraised arms of sliding goalkeeper Camilo Vargas just inside the penalty area. It was his 29th goal for his country.
Following their victories at the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa America, Argentina has won their 16th Copa, and this latest victory provides eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi with the ideal send-off in what may be his final international competition.
When the tournament’s top scorer, Lautaro Martinez, grabbed onto a precise through ball from Giovani Lo Celso and lifted his effort over advancing Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas in the 112th minute, Argentina fans went insane.
Just within the penalty area, Martinez’s right-footed goal—his fifth of the competition—went between goalkeeper Camilo Vargas’s raised arms. It was his 29th national goal.
Argentina has won their 16th Copa, following their triumphs at the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa America. This most recent triumph gives eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi the perfect send-off in what might be his final international competition.
Making his 39th and possibly last Copa America appearance at age 37, Messi had one goal in the tournament. He went down after an ankle was stepped on in the first half but remained in the game.
Messi looked to the bench as soon as he fell to the field in the second half, appearing to know his tournament was over. He took off his right boot as he walked off and slammed it in frustration, and his ankle appeared swollen. With his right foot bare, he stood by the bench and raised his arms while teammates ran onto the field when Martinez scored.