How Lionel Messi Injured His Ankle During Copa America Final

 

Images have emerged of the damage done to Lionel Messi’s ankle as the Argentine was forced off through injury during his nation’s Copa America final success. The 37-year-old had to watch on from the sidelines as his team wrapped up a second successive win in the competition.

The game between Argentina and Colombia was locked at 0-0 when the injury occurred and Messi was visibly emotional as he was forced off the pitch. Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal of the game in the 112th minute as Lionel Scaloni’s men added more silverware to their trophy cabinet.

The triumph marks La Albiceleste’s record 16th Copa America win, as they pulled clear of Uruguay as the outright most successful country in the competition’s history.

Lionel Messi Suffers Horror Injury

His ankle looked to be in agony after a nasty fall

Messi played just over an hour before suffering a nasty-looking ankle injury. The Inter Miami ace drove into the opposing penalty area before looking to deliver a left-footed cross, when his right ankle looked to give way and twist. He would immediately go down and know something wasn’t right before being forced off shortly after. View the footage below:

There was contact between the Argentine and his opposing full-back, Santiago Arias, but the damage appeared to be done before the Colombian defender collided with Messi. The Barcelona legend rolled around in pain as it became immediately apparent to everyone involved that he’d be unable to continue for much longer.

Images have since emerged of the swelling that happened to the injured ankle after the unfortunate incident. Messi had to remove his boot and sock as his foot and ankle doubled in size. View Messi’s injury below:

Messi in Tears on Argentina Bench

He watched on as his nation secured another major honour

After being replaced by Nicolas Gonzalez in the 66th minute, he took his place on the bench. Messi couldn’t hold back the tears as perhaps his final opportunity to represent his country in a major final was cut short early. It’s unclear how much longer the playmaking genius will continue his football career, as the 2026 World Cup may come too late for the player in his twilight years. View his reaction below:

Messi is the greatest player of all time, and it would be heartbreaking for his international career to come to an end with these images being the final memory in most people’s minds. His nation did go on to lift the trophy and his spirits seemed to improve greatly as the 37-year-old lifted yet another major trophy in his long and storied career.