Lionel Messi was once again the protagonist of a final, like in Maracanã in 2021 or in Qatar in 2022. But this time, he did not shine at his usual level in these instances and, on the contrary, suffered an ankle injury in the first half that forced him to request a substitution around the middle of the second half of the final of the Copa América against Colombia, in Miami.
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The anger and helplessness of leaving the fight early caused a moving and inconsolable crying on the substitute bench, in an image that went viral around the world.
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The 37-year-old star was hurt after an action with Santiago Arias and then at 65 minutes couldn't continue after a sprint with Luis Diaz. He was substituted by Nicolás González.
But the pain quickly passed and the tears turned into smiles after Lautaro Martínez's goal in the second half of extra time, which gave Argentina the title and Messi his third cup in three years: Copa America 2021, World Cup 2022, and Copa America 2024. The "Toro" went to embrace Messi especially to dedicate the goal to him.
Will Messi make it to the 2026 World Cup?
The Inter Miami player is still essential for Argentina, although he is not at the level of the World Cup in Qatar, for example.
Additionally, since September 2023, he has suffered several injuries that have forced him to be absent from matches in the Qualifiers and the MLS.
Therefore, and considering he is 37 years old, the inevitable question arises of whether he will be able to make it to the 2026 World Cup, which will be held mainly in the United States.
Argentina's qualification is taken for granted, given that in South America there are six direct spots for the tournament, but Messi has avoided the question of whether he will play in the next World Cup, although he no longer rules it out categorically as he did a year ago.
"These are the last battles"
Anyway, he is very aware that the end of his career is approaching and he hinted at it days before the final: "I am experiencing it like everything in this last period: enjoying it a lot and being aware, as it happens to 'Fideo' (Ángel Di María) and 'Ota' (Nicolás Otamendi) that they are the last battles."
For now, Messi has a contract with Inter Miami until June 2026, which is precisely when the World Cup begins. This means that the options to break the record and become the first player to compete in six FIFA World Cups remain open.