Copa América USA 2024

While Cristiano coached his teammates after being injured, what Messi did in the final

Messi was subbed off in the Copa America final against Colombia.

By Emmanuel Mendez

Lionel Messi walks with the Argentina jersey on while Cristiano Ronaldo tells instructions to the Portugal players next to his coach in the EURO 2016 Final. (Source: Sports Illustrated)
Lionel Messi walks with the Argentina jersey on while Cristiano Ronaldo tells instructions to the Portugal players next to his coach in the EURO 2016 Final. (Source: Sports Illustrated)
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Lionel Messi just lived a very similar situation as what Cristiano Ronaldo lived in the Euro final in 2016. He had to leave the pitch due to an injury in his right ankle. The injury was produced in the first half after a crash with Santiago Arias. Messi recovered in the second half, but during a run, he sprained his ankle and finished the injury for him. Messi couldn't continue and was subbed off in the 67 minute of the game.

The videos showed Messi crying on the bench with his teammates. He was really emotional. Maybe cause this could be his last final with Argentina, and for sure, Angel Di Maria's last final with the national team. Everybody tried to comfort him.

Cristiano Ronaldo experienced a very similar situation years ago. In 2016, in the final of the Euro, Portugal faced France in France. Cristiano Ronaldo was injured around the 20th minute of the game and had to leave the pitch, just as happened with Lionel Messi today. Cristiano, instead of crying, started to coach his teammates and cheer them in the coaching line along with Fernando Santos, Portugal's coach at that time.

What happened in the final?

For Cristiano, after the injury, Portugal finished winning the Euro cup. They lifted the first trophy in their history after a late goal of Eder in the extra times. As for Messi, the game continues 0-0 and it will go to extra times.