The final of the Copa América 2024 promised to have Lionel Messi and James Rodríguez, ’10’, the captain and figure of Argentina and Colombia, in a lively match this Sunday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
However, the leaders of the Albiceleste and Tricolor had a special, opaque game and could not shine as expected.
Messi was in control, but he had a few individual plays that could bring some danger to the rival area. However, the player was destroyed from the first half, as the strong play he suggested in the game took its toll on him.
So, in a split play with Santiago Arias, the right back of Colombia, Messi suffered a strong blow, and had to be treated and the alarms removed.
Lionel came out to play in the second half, however, and in the 64th minute he injured his ankle, trying to follow Luis Díaz. The player fell to the grass and the doctors asked to change immediately. So, Messi retired at 66′ and left crying.
For his part, James Rodríguez did not enter the game well; Far from other performances that made a figure in the group stage, Colombia’s ’10’ appeared very little in attacking plays. Of course, he took risks on the ball, because he is a precise and deadly thrower.
He played the 90 minutes, without showing off, and was replaced by Juan Fernando Quintero to play extra time.