By Wilson Florez
19 Jul 2024, 08:44 AM EDT
The 2024 Copa America ended with a new trophy for the Albiceleste team. Argentina beat Colombia by the minimum in a match full of emotions. Lionel Messi had to leave the field due to injury. The frustration of “La Pulga” motivated his teammates, according to Rodrigo De Paul.
Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 with a goal from Lautaro Martínez. But in the process, the match was not so simple. From the second half, the Albiceleste had to watching Lionel Messi leave the field due to an ankle injury.
After his departure, the images moved viewers. Lionel Messi was inconsolable on the bench and could not hold back his tears. The Argentine’s ankle had a very prominent swelling and the fact of not being able to play the most important match of the Copa America, affected “The Flea”.
However, Rodrigo De Paul acknowledged that Seeing Lionel Messi in that state was a motivation to win the match. Just like what happened with Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal at Euro 2022, the Albiceleste won the match without their star player.
“When Leo came out I don’t know if we thought: ‘Oh, we’re screwed,’ you say, ‘fucking hell,’ the one who rubs the lamp came out. And when we see the image, people are in total uproar. We saw it and said, ‘It’s because of him.’ I feel like it was because of him.“De Paul said in an interview with Olga.
IT WAS FOR HIM 🩵🇦🇷🏆
“When Messi came out, they focused on him on the screen and he was crying. That generated total screaming in the stadium and we just saw it. That’s when we said ‘it’s for him'”
From Paul to Olga 📲 pic.twitter.com/kmtr1f4nGx
— Diario Olé (@DiarioOle) July 18, 2024
What is Messi’s injury?
After the Copa America, Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami. There he met up with his club teammates and Gerardo Martino. “La Pulga” underwent the relevant tests and “Tata” explained which was the reason why the veteran Albiceleste footballer had to abandon the match.
“An ankle injury is beyond all predictions: it was a sprain in a very special play, very specific to be more precise. Then, what usually happens, especially when it is an ankle issue and in a final: any player, especially Leo would like to stay on the field“, Martino explained.
Keep reading:
– “Messi is pathetic”: Álvaro Morales’ harsh criticism
– Lionel Messi puts his participation in the League Cup at risk
– The president of Argentina sends a message to the government of France after the Copa América due to the Enzo Fernández controversy
– Rodrigo De Paul is criticized on social media for his simulation against Canada