From the 2008 gold medal to the 2024 Copa championship...GOAT and his best friend, in tears 'Last Dance'

Jul 15, 2024

Both Lionel Messi, who came off the bench due to injuries, and his close colleague Angel Di Maria, who is set to retire from the national team, could not hold back tears. Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in overtime to win the Copa America 2024 final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on the 15th (Korea time 0). Argentina won the Qatar World Cup in 2022 after winning the Copa America 2021, and won this Copa America, winning three consecutive major tournaments. AFP Yonhap News

Lionel Messi, who stepped down to the bench due to an injury, and his close colleague Angel Di Maria, who is about to retire from the national team, could not hold back tears.

Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in overtime to win the Copa America 2024 final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on the 15th (Korea time 0).

Argentina won the Qatar World Cup in 2022 after winning the Copa America 2021, and won this Copa America, winning three consecutive major tournaments. It is the second time in history that the Spanish national team has won two Euro championships and one World Cup championship between 2008 and 2012.

Along with Argentina's victory, there were also tears from the two players that made many fans cry. It was the world's best soccer player, Messi, and his friend and most reliable colleague, Di Maria.

The player who burst into tears first was Messi. Messi complained of pain after falling alone in the 19th minute of the second half of the game. It was a situation that had no choice but to be replaced immediately. At that time, it was a tight 0-0 trend, not Argentina leading, so Messi despaired of the fact that he could not play rather than injuries. Even while sitting on the bench, he didn't look good.

As the game continued to fail to break the trend of zero, Messi, who sat on the bench, eventually showed tears. Despite his swollen ankle, he couldn't take his eyes off the field and hide his sadness. Fans were also surprised by Messi's uncharacteristic expression of emotions.

Messi's regret was even greater as he left an interview that emphasized the last thing that he could retire from the national team ahead of the final of the Copa tournament. It is not known whether Messi will really retire, but if his team failed to win the championship due to his injury, Messi would have been in tremendous disappointment. But fortunately, that didn't happen.

Di Maria couldn't hold back her tears either. Di Maria was replaced by Nicolas Otamendi in the 12th minute of the second half of extra time, when Argentina led 1-0. Di Maria's eyes were full of tears as she left the ground, and Messi got up from his seat and hugged Di Maria, who was walking to the bench even though he was injured.

Earlier, Di Maria had already announced her retirement from the national team. "I'm not ready to play my last A match for the national team even after the last four, but it's time. My team members know I can't reverse my decision. They support my decision. There's only one game left, but the ocean I wanted. I could have gone on, but now seems to be the right time. I put everything into it. It's time to leave the national team."

Messi also did not forget the end of his friend Di Maria. After the match, Di Maria and Otamendi were called in at the trophy ceremony to lift the trophy together to celebrate the end more grandly.

Messi and Di Maria won the gold medal while leading the Argentine national team during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was the first championship between the two players on the national team.

The two players, who have rarely won the national team since then, were able to lift the trophy with a bright smile by winning the Copa America in 2021. The two, who later won the much-awaited World Cup title at the Qatar World Cup, will have the opportunity to end their national team's career in a good mood with a victory achieved with their teammates in Copa America 2024.

The two legends, who supported Argentina, led the national team to its third consecutive international competition, leading to a hot finish. With Di Maria announcing her retirement, it is expected that Messi will also leave the national team after this victory.

digh1229@sportschosun.com

From the 2008 gold medal to the 2024 Copa championship...GOAT and his best friend, in tears 'Last Dance'

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