Martinez Shines As Argentina Triumphs In Copa America, Despite Messi's Injury

Lionel Messi’s anticipated farewell to the Copa America didn’t go as planned. In Miami, where he currently dominates in the MLS, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner left the pitch in tears due to an apparent ankle injury after just over an hour of play. This was likely his last Copa America appearance, as the next tournament won’t be until 2028, by which time Messi will be over 40.

While Messi experienced personal anguish, Argentina celebrated national glory. Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, who crashed out in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, Argentina triumphed and clinched their third major title in succession by defeating Colombia 1-0 in the final, marking their record-setting 16th Copa America win.

Despite having less possession for the first time since their semi-final against Croatia in the last World Cup, Argentina proved they could still win without Messi. Their defense was solid, conceding only once in six games—a feat matched by only a few teams in Copa America history.

This year’s tournament didn't revolve around Messi as much as previous ones. Instead, Lautaro Martinez emerged as Argentina’s key player. Despite not being a regular starter under Lionel Scaloni and having a disappointing personal 2022 World Cup, Martinez was instrumental in the U.S., especially after a strong season with Inter.

He led the Golden Boot race with four goals heading into the final, though crowd trouble outside the Hard Rock Stadium delayed the match's start by over an hour. His entry into the game, seven minutes into extra time, turned out to be crucial. After a gritty match where both sides struggled to break through defensively—with 14 shots from Colombia and seven from Argentina—Martinez scored the decisive goal five minutes after entering, assisted by Giovani Lo Celso.

His goal not only secured Argentina's win but also continued the pattern of alternating champions in the Copa America since 1983. Colombia's impressive 27-game unbeaten run ended, prolonging their wait for another Copa America title to at least 27 years. Martinez's goal-scoring prowess saw him win the Golden Boot with five goals in just 221 minutes of play.

Messi's Milestones

At 37 years and 20 days old, Messi became the oldest player to start a Copa America final in the 21st century and the first to play in five finals. While he was not at his best and had to be substituted for the first time since 2007, Messi ends his Copa America career as a two-time champion with 14 goals, leaving him three short of the tournament’s all-time record.

As Argentina celebrated, concerns about fan behavior and event management loomed. Chaos outside the Miami stadium gates, leading to many fans entering without tickets and delaying the match, raised issues for CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, especially with the U.S. set to host the World Cup in two years. They must address these issues to ensure better event management in future tournaments.