Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 on Saturday night in the final of the Copa America at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
It’s the first time they’ve beaten Brazil in a competitive game since 2005 and the first time they’ve lifted a title since 1993; meaning it’s Lionel Messi’s first with his beloved national team.
He was welcomed back to Argentina the following day by his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, with their loving embrace going viral.
The game’s decisive goal came in the 22nd minute; Rodrigo de Paul, close to joining Atletico Madrid according to the rumour mill, threaded through an excellent ball to find ex-Real Madrid man Angel di Maria, who finished coolly past Ederson.
Messi, a free-agent following the expiration of his contract with Barcelona, squandered a gilt-edged chance to make it 2-0 late on, but he won’t mind. He’s landed his holy grail.
Thank God for Leo and Antonella. Feels beyond wholesome compared to the scenes in Londres. pic.twitter.com/22TmIkNT0s
— Alan Feehely (@azulfeehely) July 11, 2021
Argentina opened their Copa America campaign with a 1-1 draw with Chile, before beating Uruguay 1-0 and then Paraguay 1-0.
They closed the group with a 4-1 hammering of Bolivia, before a 3-0 defeat of Ecuador in the quarter-final and a penalty shootout victory over Colombia, after a 1-1 draw, in the semi-final.
I was the most happiest person on the planet to see my man Lionel Messi lifting up his fisrt major international trophy. I wish my legend the great Diego Armando Maradona was alive. May His Soul Rest In Eternity. As number one Argentine fun i wish my man Messi luck in next year’s world cup and Argentina at large.
Maradona would be proud too
I myself bro , I love Leo so much bro.. I was so happy and I’m still happy till date.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU MESSI
The Lion “Lionel Andres Messi” you’ve finally done it………. No more comparison, you’re the greatest!!!
Gracias adios por estes copa canpeon argentina con leo messi el merece por su grandesa y por loque hice el alnivel mondo en football yo como fanatico este seleccion y barcelona estoy muy contento y alegria un saludos corđial ahora con messi nos vamos por el mondial 2022 con dios alante
An astonishing tesult!! Lionel Messi indeed has landed hi holy grail!! We in Malaysia are abolsolutely overjoyed by this. Without Messi in the football spectrum (in sport context) football always is a beautiful game with the right genious peddling the game. Well done Messi, weldone Argentina!!
i happy for loe lifted the cup, loe the best