By Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi, has finally won a major tournament with his senior national team following Argentina’s hard-fought 1-0 win over Brazil at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro to win the 2021 Copa América.
PSG forward Angel Di Maria’s brilliant strike in the 22nd minute, thanks to a spectacular long ball from Rodrigo De Paul, ended the country’s 28-year trophy drought — the Albiceleste last won Copa America in 1993.
FIFA’s eighth best team in the world, Argentina began this year’s Copa America with a 1-1 draw against rivals Chile. The Albiceleste went on to win their next three matches, defeating Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia to finish first in their group.
Argentina edged out Ecuador 3-0 in the quarter-finals before defeating Colombia in a penalty shoot-out in the semi-finals.
This feat — winning a first title win after 10 tournaments for his country without success — means a lot to Messi, who also emerged as the highest goal scorer in the competition with four goals and five assists.
Di Maria was handed the Man-of-the-match trophy while Martinez went home with the ‘Best Goalkeeper’ award.
