MIAMI GARDENS, Florida – Lionel Messi’s night ended early during the Copa América final when he left the field emotionally in the 64th minute with an apparent leg injury on Sunday night, and cameras later showed him on the bench with a badly swollen right ankle.
The 37-year-old appeared to suffer a non-contact injury as he ran at full speed across the pitch as defending champions Argentina remained goalless against Colombia.
Messi immediately looked at the Argentine bench as he fell to the ground. He remained down for several minutes as the trainers left. He was helped to his feet and immediately removed the shoe from his right foot.
Upon leaving the field, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner took off his captain’s armband and threw the shoe on the floor in frustration. An emotional Messi was then shown covering his face, sobbing in his chair.
Messi went down in the first half after landing awkwardly while chasing a ball out of bounds. He rolled several times while grabbing his lower right leg. Trainers worked the area for a few minutes before helping him to his feet. He slowly walked towards the sideline before returning to the game.
Messi battled leg injury and discomfort for much of the tournament and missed Argentina’s group stage final. He made one shot attempt in the first half on Sunday.
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