After Rohit Sharma’s recreation, Lionel Messi repeats that ‘walk to lift trophies’. To attend

India captain Rohit Sharma has recreated Argentine football star Lionel Messi’s iconic slow walk celebration after last year’s T20 World Cup final. In 2022, Messi did the same after Argentina defeated France in the FIFA World Cup final in Qatar. The gesture of slowly walking gained popularity once again last month when Rohit celebrated in a similar fashion at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who is a huge fan of Messi, later revealed that he was the one who actually recommended Rohit to recreate the celebration.

However, Messi did it again, this time after Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 in the Copa América final on Monday.

But this time Messi was joined by Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi, with the Argentine captain asking the pair to lift the trophy with him.

Messi lifts the trophy once again!!! pic.twitter.com/76unxFQ0TD

-Messi Media (@LeoMessiMedia) July 15, 2024

Meanwhile, Argentina successfully defended the Copa América trophy with a 1-0 victory over Colombia in the tournament final at the Hard Rock Stadium, clinching the coveted title for a record 16th time and fourth in a row.
In a game where Argentine captain Lionel Messi injured his ankle and had to be substituted in the second half, the Albiceleste dug deep and held their opponents until extra time, where Golden Boot winner Lautaro Martinez scored his fifth and more important goal of the season to give his team the victory.

This was Argentina’s third consecutive trophy at a major tournament (2021 Copa América, 2022 FIFA World Cup), making them the first South American team to achieve this feat.

This was a special victory for Argentina as one of their most loyal servants, Angel Di Maria, had officially retired from international football and was ecstatic to be eliminated in this way.

“It was written, it was like this. I dreamed, I dreamed that I would retire like this,” she said. “I have so many beautiful feelings. I am eternally grateful to this generation that made me achieve what I was looking for”, said an emotional Di Maria in the post-game conference.

Lionel Messi took another step towards greatness as it was the team’s 45th award, making him the most decorated player in football.

The world champions dominated throughout the tournament as they topped Group A before defeating Ecuador in the quarter-finals, Canada in the semi-finals and a Colombian team who were on a 28-game unbeaten streak heading into the final.

(With IANS inputs)