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Associated Press

Argentina finally made Lionel Messi cry with joy.
After losing four times in finals, early exits in major tournaments and even a decision to retire from the national team, the superstar celebrated a much-awaited Copa America title with Argentina at Saturday’s 1-0 win against Brazil in the Maracana Stadium.
The title ended Argentina’s 28-year drought of major trophies, with Messi as the best player with four goals and five assists. The captain also broke the team’s record for international appearances with 151.
When Uruguayan referee Esteban Ostojich blew the final whistle, Messi knelt down on the pitch and covered his face with his hands.
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The next challenge is to win the World Cup in Qatar next year, which would be the first since Maradona took the team to glory in 1986.
Until Saturday, Messi’s titles with Argentina were only the under-20 World Cup title in 2005 and a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

His first frustration at the senior-team level started at age 19 in the World Cup quarter-final elimination against Germany in 2006. One year later, he saw Brazil beat Argentina 3-0 in the Copa America final.
His next major shot at winning with Argentina came in the 2014 World Cup final against Germany. The 1-0 defeat at the Maracana Stadium in Rio frustrated the star, who was voted the best player of the tournament, though his form was not as impressive as it was at his club.
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Chile would crush Messi’s hopes in two Copa America finals, in 2015 and 2016, both on penalties.
After the second defeat to Chile, Messi told journalists that the national team was over for him.
“It is not for me. I tried, I think that is it,” he said.
But he returned for South American World Cup qualifiers in which Argentina struggled. He took the team to Russia, but the round-of-16 defeat against France came at a turbulent time for the team.
Messi became more aggressive at the 2019 Copa America, much to the pleasure of Argentinian fans who considered him to be too cold, too European. Under a coach with little experience, Lionel Scaloni, he was surrounded by young players who got the best of him.
On Saturday Messi kissed the Copa America trophy and lifted it at age 34. The biggest gap in his decorated career is now closed.


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Copa America 2016

Argentina’s Lionel Messi is on his knees after winning the Copa America in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. Photo: AP

Teammates lift Argentina's Lionel Messi after beating Brazil 1-0 during the Copa America final soccer match at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Lionel Messi’s Argentina set up blockbuster Copa America final with Neymar’s Brazil after penalty shoot-out win over Colombia

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and captain Lionel Messi celebrate after winning their Copa America semi-final against Colombia in a penalty shoot-out at the Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia. Photo: AFP

epa09327678 Argentina's Lionel Messi (C) celebrates with his teammates after defeating Colombia in the penalty shootout, at the conclusion of the Copa America semifinal soccer match between Argentina and Colombia at Mane Garrincha stadium in Brasilia, Brazil, 06 July 2021. EPA-EFE/FERNANDO BIZERRA

Soccer Football - Copa America 2021 - Semi Final - Argentina v Colombia - Estadio Mane Garrincha, Brasilia, Brazil - July 6, 2021 Colombia's Edwin Cardona misses a penalty during a penalty shootout REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

Lionel Messi future: I’ll do everything to get him to stay at Barcelona, says Joan Laporta

Barcelona’s recently elected president Joan Laporta has said he will do all he can to get Lionel Messi to stay at the Camp Nou. Photo: EPA

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) arrives to attend Barcelona´s new president Joan Laporta official inauguration at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 17, 2021. - Joan Laporta returned as Barcelona president after winning the club's elections by a landslide, with his central pledge to try to persuade Lionel Messi to stay. Laporta was last president at Barca between 2003 and 2010, which included overseeing the hugely successful appointment of Pep Guardiola as coach and the iconic treble-winning team of 2008/9. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP)

Sport

Football

Captain Messi also breaks the Argentina record for international appearances with 151 in title win


Captain Messi also breaks the Argentina record for international appearances with 151 in title win.


Lionel Messi

Copa America: Lionel Messi pays his debt to Argentina with title

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Captain Messi also breaks the Argentina record for international appearances with 151 in title win

Captain Messi also breaks the Argentina record for international appearances with 151 in title win