It took 28 years, but finally, on Saturday night, Argentina lifted the much-coveted Copa América after defeating perennial rivals Brazil.
Even as Argentina boasts having produced arguably the best footballer in the world in recent times, they had never won a major trophy with Lionel Messi in the team.
But all that changed at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where Angel di Maria scored in the 22nd minute – putting an end to a hoodoo that threatened to blight Messi’s wonderful career.
In the second half, Brazil went a gear up, but the Argentina defence led by the impressive Rodrigo De Paul withstood the pressure to keep a clean sheet.
Until the victory on Saturday, Argentina had last won the Copa América in 1993
Even though 34-year-old Messi didn’t score in the final, the Barcelona FC talisman was the tournament top scorer with a total of four goals,
Messi, who missed a sitter in the dying minutes, was elected joint best player along with Brazil superstar, Neymar.
Emiliano Martínez kept the most clean sheets at the 2021 Copa América to become the first Argentina goalkeeper to win the Golden Glove.
Fans are already saying there is no one left to stop Messi from winning the Ballon Dor.
