Lionel Scaloni has revealed what Lionel Messi was thinking after the Argentina and Inter Miami star was forced off injured in last night’s Copa America final.
The 37-year-old attacker picked up a nasty-looking ankle problem in Argentina’s 1-0 win against Colombia as more questions were raised over the quality of turf used at the Copa America, with Messi’s boot getting stuck in the pitch, leading to injury.
With pictures of Messi crying and his swollen ankle going viral overnight, things are not looking good for the attacker ahead of his return to Inter Miami later this month, with more questions being raised over what will pitches look like ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
And Argentina manager Scaloni has now shared what Messi was thinking after he came off.
Scaloni admits Messi didn’t want to come off the pitch despite ankle blow
Speaking to the press after Argentina’s Copa America win, Scaloni admitted that Messi didn’t want to come off despite how bad his ankle looked, with the forward keen to continue and to keep playing for his teammates.
Given how incredible Messi is, it’s no real surprise that the attacker wanted to continue and to keep pushing for a winner in normal time for Argentina, who eventually found it in extra-time through Lautaro Martinez.
Indeed, Messi is now starting to reach the limit of his once-in-a-generation powers, and for Scaloni, the 37-year-old wanting to continue despite his injury is a testament to how good the Argentina forward still is.
Scaloni said: “Leo has something that everyone should have. He’s the best in history and, even with an ankle like that, he doesn’t want to go off. It’s not because he’s selfish, but because he doesn’t want to let his team-mates down. He was born to be on a pitch.”
Inter Miami will be praying Messi’s latest injury isn’t serious
With Leagues Cup on the horizon and key MLS games coming up, Messi picking up an injury in the final game of the Copa America will be the biggest kick in the teeth possible for Inter Miami.
We’ve all seen the images of Messi’s ankle by now, with the Argentine looking in real pain having turned awkwardly at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, something the Herons would have cringed at watching.
Given Messi’s age, there’s a real chance that the forward could be out for some weeks for Inter Miami, who after an intensive competition with Argentina might not be seen back in MLS action until August.