In a shocking turn of events, Lionel Messi was forced off the field due to an injury during the second half of the 2024 Copa America final. The match took place against Colombia at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. This unfortunate incident left Messi and his fans devastated.
The Injury Incident
Moment of Injury
In the 64th minute of the match, both teams were trying hard to score a goal. Suddenly, Messi fell to the ground in pain, holding his ankle. It looked like he had stepped awkwardly, which caused the injury. Nicolás González replaced Messi soon after.
Messi’s Reaction
Messi limped off the field, holding his right shoe in his hand. He was very upset and threw the shoe in anger. As he sat on the bench, Messi cried because he couldn’t continue playing in the final. His teammates tried to comfort him, but he was very disappointed.
Crowd Reaction
The crowd at the stadium started chanting “Messi, Messi” to show their support. In response, Colombia fans chanted “James! James! James!” The broadcasters showed Messi’s right ankle wrapped with ice.
Earlier Signs of Trouble
First Half Scare
In the first half of the match, Messi also had a scary moment. With less than 10 minutes left before halftime, he landed awkwardly while chasing the ball. He rolled on the ground, holding his lower right leg. Trainers helped him, and after a few minutes, he returned to the game.
Ongoing Leg Discomfort
Messi had been dealing with leg pain throughout the tournament. He even missed Argentina’s last group stage game because of this issue. In the first half of the final, Messi had only one shot attempt.
Delayed Start to the Final
Fan Chaos
The Copa America final started late because many fans without tickets tried to enter the stadium. Videos on social media showed fans running and trying to breach the gates. This created chaos outside the stadium.
Police Action
Police closed the gates and locked down the area, leaving many fans stuck outside. Both teams had to leave the field until the situation was under control.
The injury to Lionel Messi was a heartbreaking moment in the 2024 Copa America final. His departure affected not only him but also his team and fans. Despite his efforts, Messi could not continue playing, marking a sad moment in what should have been a thrilling final.
Read this too – Joe Biden Slams Attack on Donald Trump as ‘Sick,’ Reveals Attempts to Call Ex-President: ‘We Cannot Condone This’
People loved to read – How to catch cheaters on iPhone