Rio De Janeiro: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni revealed that Lionel Messi played the Copa America 2021 final against Brazil at the Maracana Stadium with a considerable injury. Argentina defeated Brazil in the summit clash to lift the title after 28 years.
“If you knew the way that he played in Copa America you’d love him even more,” Scaloni said after their title win. Messi was part of the squads in 2007, 2015 and 2016 when Argentina reached the Copa America finals but had to return empty-handed.
However, the title drought was finally broken when Angel Di Maria put the 2014 World Cup runners-up ahead in the 22nd minute which also became the decisive goal in the match. Messi, himself had been in stellar form in the tournament, with four goals and five assists receiving the Best Player of the Tournament.
The Argentina boss was not short of praises for Messi and brought it to light how an injured Messi refused to give up on the final day. However, Scaloni could not specify what type of injury Messi endured. “You can never do without a player like him, even when he is not fully fit like in this game and the previous one,” he added.
Scaloni further expressed how important the win was for Messi after repetitive failures and also added how happy he was to have things turned for the captain after the frustrating 2016 final loss.
“In the end he did not throw in the towel and he succeeded,” Scaloni said. “We are talking about the best footballer of all time and everyone knew how important it was for him to win a title with the national team.”
“I have a relationship that is different than the (usual) coach-player relationship,” Scaloni added. “It’s closer. We greet each other, we hug each other, and I am eternally grateful to him and his teammates,” Scaloni said.
