Lionel Messi left the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia on Sunday night with an apparent ankle injury.
FOX Sports aired a match where Messi cried on the bench for the last 30 minutes of the game. It was a heartbreaking ending for Messi, who helped the team return to the final to defend their title.
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Argentina forward #10 Lionel Messi (R) reacts after leaving the field after sustaining an injury during the 2024 Copa America Conmebol tournament final football match between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami, Florida on July 14, 2024. (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
Messi was injured in the first half when he fell near the end line after being accidentally run over in the foot. He remained on the ground for several minutes before running up the touchline and deciding to play the rest of the half. He appeared ready to compete for the rest of the match as he was seen making movements with the ball.
In the second half, Messi fell again and this time for good.
He was seen leaving the field with his shoe in his hand and his foot wrapped in ice.
Lionel Messi of Argentina calls for medical help after being injured during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 final match between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium on July 14, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
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Argentina and Colombia were tied 0-0 when Messi left the field. Nico González replaced him in the 66th minute.
Argentina won Group A and Messi scored a goal in the semi-finals to help the country beat Canada 2-0 and advance to the final.
Lionel Messi of Argentina gestures during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final match between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium on July 14, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
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Messi helped Argentina win the World Cup in 2022. He has been playing in Major League Soccer for Inter Miami since last summer.
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