The six-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi has finally won a major tournament with Argentina.
At the young age of 19, Messi came into the World Cup 2006 Argentina squad and spent 15 years playing at 10 different major tournaments. Player 151 matches for his country, scoring 76 goals but never won a trophy for his country he proudly represents, until today.
In the Copa America final, Argentina beat Brazil 1-0, Messi winning his first major international tournament at the age of 34. Only goal of the match was scored by Angel di Maria in the 22nd minute of the game.
Messi shined throughout the tournament, despite his underperformance in the final, he was awarded player of the tournament. He scored four goals and assisted five times, contributing to 9 goals out of 12 scored by Argentina in the cup. He also won the golden boot for most goals in the tournament.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also shined bright in this Copa America. He saved four penalties, 3 of them were in the semi final penalty shootout against Columbia. Emi Martinez won the golden glove of the tournament for most clean sheets, he secured 4 of them for his team.
Messi was left in tears after winning the trophy. He has won the runner-ups medal in three major tournaments before. Argentina lost to Germany in the 2014 world cup and lost to Chile twice in Copa America finals before.
