What a tough way for Lionel Messi to leave the Copa America.
If this is the last we see of Lionel Messi on a soccer field, it will be quite the unfair ending.
On Sunday, during the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia, Messi was subbed out in the 65th minute due to an injury. Messi was down earlier in the game after a collision with his leg, but left after seemingly injuring it once more in the second half.
In a game that was already marred by unticketed fans entering the stadium, losing Messi was quite the blow to the final. Plus, given the rumors of his retirement from the game, it would be a devastating end to his historic soccer career.
And it’s clear he knew it too, as Messi was visibly distraught after being taken out of the game, clearly weeping in pain.
A closer look at Messi's ankle wrapped up in ice pic.twitter.com/niXeh4VGBo
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Messi is full of emotion as he comes off early in the Copa América
2024 Finalpic.twitter.com/DUkls7YCsa
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
https://t.co/DJPNIieMRG pic.twitter.com/o90UFKMCMN
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) July 15, 2024
A real heartbreaker, that’s for sure.
