Angel Di Maria might have scored a goal in the Copa America final but all eyes were on Lionel Messi as the legend ended the drought of the first major international title with Argentina.
He might not have scored in the finals of Copa America but Messi was in red hot form in the ongoing tournament having scored the joint highest four goals in Copa America 2021. Argentina clinched the Copa America final for the first time since 1993, registering a 1-0 win over Brazil at the Maracana on Saturday. Messi was seven years old when Argentina last lifted the coveted Copa America trophy. Maria’s strike in the tournament’s final gave Messi or his fans the much-needed relief.
Whenever the debate erupted between Messi or any other big player, football pundits always highlighted how the Argentina captain wasn’t able to reap rewards at the big stage. Messi had won everything at the club level, both in personal and team capacity, but missed a major title with Argentina apart from a 2008 gold medal in the Olympics.
For now there won’t be people questioning Messi’s legacy as he has finally won his first trophy with national team. The ‘icon’ Messi would only want Argentina to take the carry forward the momentum to the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Messi and Neymar were also named as the two best players of the tournament just before their teams locked horns in the final. The Barcelona star had five assists in six games to his name before the summit clash kicked off.