Lionel Messi
expressed his delight in participating in his "last battles" for
Argentina
following their 2-0 victory against Canada on Tuesday, which secured their spot in the
Copa America
final.
"I'm living it like I lived it in the last Copa America, in the last World Cup....these are the last battles and I'm enjoying them to the maximum," Messi said talking to TyC Sports.
The 37-year-old legend scored the second goal for Argentina in their semifinal victory. The world champions will meet either Uruguay or Colombia in the final.
Messi's performance was a marked improvement from the quarterfinal against Ecuador, where he appeared to be below his usual standards. In the semis, he showcased his exceptional skills, linking up effectively with teammates Angel Di Maria and Julian Alvarez, who also found the back of the net.
Messi, who currently plas club
football
for Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer, has not yet revealed his plans regarding his participation with the Argentine national team in the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
In response to Messi's remark about his "last battles," the head coach of Argentina, Lionel Scaloni, urged for composure and restraint in speculation.
"We have to leave him alone; he knows that we will not be the ones to close the door on him. He can stay with us as long as he wants, even when he retires...Let him decide what he wants," he said.
Messi has the opportunity to secure a third consecutive major trophy with Argentina's national team, building on their recent successes in the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa America.
The Argentine superstar, who has won the prestigious Ballon d'Or award eight times, acknowledged the contributions of his long-time colleagues Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi.
Messi emphasized that the team's recent triumphs serve as a testament to their resilience and perseverance through the challenging and trophy-less periods they had endured in the past.
"The truth is that it's crazy what this group has done, what the Argentina national team has been doing, because after all this, it gives value to all (the tournaments) I and the old generation have played in," Messi said on TyC Sports.
"It's not easy for us to be in a final again, for us to compete again to be champions," he added after the victory at MetLife Stadium.
Messi acknowledged that the journey to the championship match had been challenging.
"It's a difficult Copa, evenly matched, with very bad pitches, with high temperatures, very tough teams, and for us to be in a final again is something to enjoy," he said.
English (US) ·