Lionel Messi Injury: Watch How Argentina Superstar Was Left With Blown Up Ankle During Copa America Final

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Lionel Messi was left with a swollen ankle during the Copa America 2024 Final between Argentina and Colombia on Sunday (July 14) night at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, USA.

The Argentine talisman, who ended the night with the Copa America title, exited the field in the 64th minute with an apparent leg injury, which he seems to have picked up even early in the match, and cameras showed him later on the bench with a badly swollen right ankle.

The 37-year-old appeared to suffer a non-contact injury while running on the pitch as Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 for its record 16th Copa America title on Sunday night.

Messi immediately looked toward the Argentina bench as he went to the ground. He remained down for several minutes as the medics arrived and helped him to his feet. He immediately took his shoe off his right foot.

As he walked off the field, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took off his captains armband and threw his shoe to the ground in frustration. An emotional Messi was then shown covering his face, sobbing in his seat.

Later videos of when he suffered the injury was shared across various social media channels with some users also posting images of the badly swollen ankle. Here is when Lionel Messi injury could have possibly happened:

Messi appeared to be limping after the game but was apparently in good spirits. He clapped and laughed and lifted the trophy with teammates Nicolás Ottamendi and Ángel Di María.

"We were able to win for him," Di María said, "give him the joy." Making his 39th and possibly last Copa America appearance, Messi had one goal in the tournament.

The 37-year-old, who came in with injury issues to the title showdown, went down in the 36th minute after his left ankle was thought to be caught by Santiago Arias but walked back onto the field three minutes later.

Messi had been dealing with a leg injury and discomfort through much of the tournament and missed Argentina's group stage finale. He had one shot attempt in the first half Sunday.