In a dramatic twist during Sunday’s highly-anticipated Copa America final against Colombia, Argentina's captain Lionel Messi was compelled to leave the game in the 66th minute, succumbing to a non-contact injury. The climactic match, held at Hard Rock Stadium, witnessed an unsettling scene for fans as Messi limped off the field with evident distress.
Just a minute before his exit, Messi slipped and fell to the ground, prompting immediate concern from both his teammates and supporters. Quickly signaling to the sidelines that he needed to be substituted, it became apparent that his hamstring was the primary issue. Nicolas Gonzalez replaced him, maintaining the team’s formation as the score remained locked at 0-0. The sight of Messi walking to the bench with one shoe on and sitting down visibly upset added to the drama and tension of the evening.
The cameras captured a raw and emotional moment as Messi burst into tears on the bench, his anguish clearly exacerbated by chants of "Leo! Leo!" resonating throughout the stadium. It was an unexpected and heartbreaking turn for the Argentine legend, who had been playing with apparent discomfort since the 35th minute when he was fouled by Colombia’s Santiago Arias, seemingly injuring his ankle. Despite the early knock, Messi displayed commendable resilience, continuing to play for another half hour before his hamstring finally forced him off.
Messi’s injury woes appeared to have lingered from earlier in the tournament. In Argentina's 1-0 win over Chile, he had briefly left the field after experiencing discomfort in his thigh but managed to play the full 90 minutes. However, Messi did sit out the group stage finale against Peru, a match that Argentina approached with the assurance of having already secured their quarterfinal spot. It was in the final that the hamstring issue resurfaced, ultimately cutting short his participation in the decisive game.
Argentina entered the 2023 Copa America as defending champions after their triumph in the 2021 tournament. The final, however, was a tense and goal-less affair, with defensive strategies taking precedence over attacking flair. The full impact of Messi's injury, both on his current form and his immediate future, remains to be seen. Messi himself commented on his condition, saying, "I felt some discomfort in my right hamstring at the beginning of the game. It was tight. It wasn't as loose as it should've been. But I was able to finish the game. We'll see how it goes."
As fans and pundits await further updates on Messi's condition, Argentina's status as defending champions adds another layer of scrutiny and expectation. The upcoming matches will undoubtedly be watched with anticipation, as the team navigates tough competition without their talisman. For now, the football world collectively holds its breath, hoping for a swift recovery for one of the game's greatest players.