THAT THORN IS OUT OF MY SIDE
Messi gets to lift the Copa America with Argentina as Di Maria’s goal beats Brazil
LIONEL MESSI spoke of his joy and relief at finally removing the “thorn” of failing to win a major trophy with Argentina.
A first-half Angel Di Maria goal was enough to see La Albiceleste claim the Copa America crown against Brazil and lift their first piece of silverware since 1993.
And Messi fell to the floor at full-time, while his former Barcleona teammate Neymar was in tears after he was unable to inspire
Brazil to victory.
It was a huge hurdle crossed for the six-time Ballon d’or winner, who has been a beaten finalist on four separate occasions with Argentina – three times in the Copa America and once in the World Cup.
But the 34-year-old (above and below) finally righted those wrongs at the Maracana.
Opening up on being crowned a champion with his country, Messi said: “It’s crazy, the happiness. The feeling is inexplicable.
“I needed to get rid of the thorn of being able to achieve something with the national team, I had been very close for many years. I knew that at some point it was going to happen and I think there is no better moment than this.
“The objective was clear and we were able to be champions. The happiness is immense. Many times I have dreamed of this.
“I want to share this with those team-mates who were so close so many times and it was not given to them. This is also for them.
“I feel that God was saving this moment for me, against
Brazil in the final.”
Despite all the focus being firmly fixed on Messi, Di Maria revealed his teammate had told him in the aftermath of the historic win that it was “his final”.
Injury forced the Paris Saint-germain winger to miss Argentina’s 2014 World Cup final defeat to Germany.
He also missed their Copa America final loss to Chile in 2015 and the Copa America Centinario final reverse, again against Chile, the following year.
“It’s going to be unforgettable,” said Di Maria. “Messi told me thanks to me, I said thanks to him!
“He told me that it was my final, that it was the rematch for the finals that I couldn’t play. It had to be today and today it was.”
Messi had been involved in nine of Argentina’s 12 goals, scoring four, during the Copa America.
But the final was decided by Di Maria midway through the first half when he lobbed Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson.
Messi, who was named player of the tournament – a prize he shared with Neymar – should have found the net himself at the Maracana.
But, with the goal at his mercy, he slipped when through one-on-one against Ederson.
The forward is now technically a free agent after his Barcelona contract expired.
He is expected to pen a Nou Camp extension with financial problems and registration issues currently hindering the club’s efforts.
‘God was saving this moment for me, against
Brazil in the final’