Despite nursing a right ankle injury, Lionel Messi remained jubilant as he celebrated Argentina’s Copa América victory on Sunday, July 14. Following a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Colombia, the soccer icon took to social media to express gratitude to his family.
“Family thank you for always being there,” Messi captioned an Instagram snapshot featuring his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three sons, Ciro, 6, Mateo, 8, and Thiago, 11, all beaming alongside the Copa América trophy.
Roccuzzo, echoed the sentiment with her own Instagram post, sharing two family photos taken after the historic win. “CHAMPIONS OF AMERICA,” she wrote. “LETS GO ARGENTINA !!!”
Earlier in the day, Messi, a two-time Copa América winner, had posted another photo holding both his 2021 and 2024 tournament trophies. “One more…,” he captioned the image with two trophy emojis.
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The celebrations came despite Messi sustaining an ankle injury during the final match of the 2024 South American soccer tournament, held at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
According to Bleacher Report, Messi was forced to exit the game after injuring his right ankle, visibly emotional as he watched from the sidelines, as seen in videos posted to social media.
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However, Messi’s absence did not hinder Argentina from clinching its second consecutive Copa América title — and a record 16th championship overall — with Lautaro Martínez scoring the game-winning goal during the 112th minute, as reported by the Associated Press.
Following the match, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised Messi’s dedication and leadership despite his injury. “Leo is the greatest player in history,” Scaloni said through an interpreter. “He never wants to leave the pitch. He has a swollen ankle and wants to keep playing. I prefer those players.”
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“He wants to play not because he is egotistical or selfish. He wants to keep playing because he doesn’t want to leave his teammates,” Scaloni continued. “He was born to be on the pitch.”
The final in Miami marked Messi’s 39th Copa América appearance before his injury sidelined him just over an hour into the match. Notably limping after Argentina’s victory, Messi received assistance from teammates Nicolás Otamendi and Ángel Di María as they helped him lift the 2024 trophy, according to the AP.
Ahead of the game, Messi had expressed gratitude for the support received throughout Argentina’s journey to the final. “Last day of Copa America. Once again we reached the end… This incredible road would have been impossible without the hard work of everyone, the ones who watch the most and the ones who are always behind the camera,” he wrote on Instagram.
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“Thanks to all for the effort and passion, to all the teammates and the technical body, to the workers of the National Team and all the Argentinians who came to encourage us to America and to those who could not come but support us from our country and also from other places where they are living,” Messi continued, concluding with, “A big hug to all, come on Argentina.”
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This rewrite incorporates AP style by focusing on clarity, brevity, and adherence to journalistic conventions. It expands on the details of Messi’s injury, his family’s role in his celebration, and reactions from both Messi and Argentina’s coach following their victory in the Copa América.
