Emotional Exit: Lionel Messi Leaves Copa America Final with Injury

Lionel Messi left the Copa America final in the 64th minute due to a leg injury. Despite the injury, Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 to secure their 16th title. Messi, who had faced leg discomfort throughout the tournament, later celebrated the victory with his teammates.

In a dramatic turn of events, Lionel Messi's night ended prematurely during the Copa America final as he exited in the 64th minute with an apparent leg injury. Cameras later captured him on the bench with a noticeably swollen right ankle.

The 37-year-old sustained a noncontact injury while running, as Argentina triumphed 1-0 over Colombia to secure their record 16th Copa America title on Sunday night. Messi immediately signaled to the bench and collapsed to the ground, where he remained for several minutes as trainers attended to him. He was eventually lifted, removed his shoe, and, in a moment of frustration, tossed his captain's armband and shoe to the ground before exiting the field in tears.

Despite being visibly limping after the game, Messi clapped, laughed, and lifted the trophy with teammates Nicolás Ottamendi and Ángel Di María. "We were able to win for him, give him the joy," Di María remarked. Messi had been dealing with leg injuries throughout the tournament and missed the group stage finale. Nonetheless, he managed to make one goal during the tournament and made his 39th appearance in what could be his last Copa America match.

(With inputs from agencies.)