Messi’s Argentina Secure Copa America Final Spot, But Will it be His Last Hurrah?
Lionel Messi’s Argentina have qualified for the 2024 Copa America final, and the six-time Ballon d’Or winner couldn’t be more thrilled. Argentina defeated Canada 2-0 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Messi scoring his first goal of the tournament and his 14th in Copa America history.
Messi, along with the "old guard" of Argentina, including Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi, has been instrumental in the team’s success. The 35-year-old Argentine superstar praised his teammates, saying, "What this team has done, what the Argentina national team has done, because after this everyone gives more importance to all the finals that me and the ‘older guys’ have played."
Manager Lionel Scaloni, too, was ecstatic about the team’s achievement, saying, "It’s something to be proud of and grateful to the players for… It’s super difficult to be in a final, especially coming in the way we did with previous success and triumph. It’s double as hard."
Argentina’s road to the final has been no easy feat. They topped Group A with a perfect record, before defeating Ecuador in a shootout and then dispatching Canada 2-0 in the semifinal. Now, they face either Uruguay or Colombia in the final, which could be the last hurrah for Di Maria and Messi.
Scaloni has hinted that he might not retire his stars immediately, saying, "We leave them calm from our part, we won’t be the ones to close the door on them. He can be with us until he wants, and even after he retires he can join me if I’m still coach. And if not I’ll take him where I go. He would be a great help."
The final will take place on July 14 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, where Messi plays for club side Inter Miami CF. Will this be the last time we see Messi and Di Maria don the Argentina jersey? Only time will tell.
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