Messi loses fitness battle at Copa America, puts goal of playing 6th World Cup on hold

Lionel Messi cried uncontrollably after he exited from a Copa America final before fulltime for the first time in his career.

Beyond the severe pain in his right ankle on Sunday night in Miami Gardens, the tears on the face of Argentina’s captain showed a deeper anguish.

Despite winning the title in one of his “last battles,” as Messi described this Copa, the 37-year-old superstar did not pass the fitness test that could have opened the way for him to play his sixth World Cup in 2026.

Argentina successfully defended its South American title with a hard-fought 1-0 extra-time win against Colombia. Messi left the pitch in Hard Rock Stadium in the 64th minute, breaking down without being touched.

The Copa was Messi’s first major tournament since leaving European soccer to play in the less competitive Major League Soccer in the U.S. Still, he has missed several games over the last year for his Inter Miami club and Argentina due to muscle issues.

Messi felt muscular pains in his right leg in the second group match against Chile, which sidelined him from the following game against Peru. He did not deliver an impressive performance in the quarterfinals against Ecuador and missed his chance in the penalty shootout. In the semifinal victory over Canada, he scored his only goal in the tournament in the 2-0 win.

With a limp, Messi celebrated his second Copa title in modest fashion on the field. The injury still hurt the star on Monday.

“One more,” he said on his social media channels.

Messi did not speak to the media after the injury, and Argentina did not give details about the damage.

Messi’s farewell to the national team is still on hold, but there’s other players aged above 35 who are likely to have played their last major international tournament; winger Ángel Di María (36), defender Nicolás Otamendi (36), and substitute goalkeeper Franco Armani (37).

Argentina does have up-and-coming players and a squad averaging 28 years of age when the veterans are not counted. That is partly why it held strong against Colombia despite the absence of its star for 56 minutes of play.

“I don’t know whether we marked an era, but this team never ceases to surprise. It recovers from difficulties,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “When (Messi) leaves, the team multiplies with the one that comes in and we play better in a different way.”

Young talents such as Alejandro Garnacho, Valentín Carboni, Thiago Almada, Claudio Echeverri and Valentín Barco are not to be compared with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, but they can help Argentina remain competitive when it defends the World Cup in 2026.

Key squad members such as goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, defender Cristian Romero, midfielder Rodrigo de Paul and striker Lautaro Martínez are likely to remain.

Argentina will return to action in September in World Cup qualifying against Chile and Colombia. The Argentines lead South America. That international window will give more hints about whether Messi’s legend will go on or stop at Sunday’s title.