Copa America 2021
Lukaku hails ‘best of the lot’
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku said his goal in Sunday’s 2-0 win at Arsenal, the Belgium international’s first match back with the European champions, was his favourite of the 114 he has scored in the Premier League.
'I want to give him life, I want to die for him'
Argentine Copa America and golden glove winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez spoke at length about what winning the continental title with Lionel Messi meant to him during an interview with Argentine media Ole.
Messi dedicates trophy to Maradona and Argentines fighting Covid
Lionel Messi said Sunday that he hoped Argentina's Copa America triumph would help provide strength to his compatriots in their battle to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Football was waiting for you to have that moment’
Images had earlier arrived of two friends Lionel Messi and Neymar locked in embrace while Argentina were celebrating the Copa America final win over Brazil yesterday. Neymar later talked about his admiration for Messi in an Instagram post.
‘The happiness is immense’
Lionel Messi was uncharacteristically quiet in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Brazil on Saturday but his performance was irrelevant compared to what the victory means – a first major title for Messi in the blue and white of the national side.
Messi’s leadership finds its mark
A nervy atmosphere had gripped the final moments of the Copa America final but as soon as the clock had stopped, Lionel Messi sank to his knees, his fists pumping the air as teammates rushed in to plunge into euphoria alongside him.
Messi played Copa America final with injury, says coach
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni paid tribute to Lionel Messi on Saturday, praising his team captain and revealing he played in the Copa America win over Brazil with an injury.
‘This is a very big title’
Argentina won their first major title in 28 years on Saturday and Lionel Messi finally won his first medal in a blue-and-white shirt when an Angel Di Maria goal gave them a 1-0 win over Brazil and a record-equalling 15th Copa America.
Friendship will be set aside
Neymar will be putting his friendship with former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi aside as he chases his first Copa America title with Brazil in Saturday’s final.
Messi, Neymar battle in dream final
Former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar will line up opposite each other in Saturday’s Copa America final looking to end a hoodoo that has also affected some of their countries’ greatest players. Like Brazil’s Pele and Diego Maradona of Argentina before them, neither Messi nor Neymar has ever won the Copa.
Messi-Neymar friendship ‘on the line’
Brazil ace Neymar joked that his friendship with former Barcelona colleague Lionel Messi will be put to the test when the pair meet in the Copa America final on Sunday.
MESSI V NEYMAR
The first time the two met in a friendly in 2010, Messi's last minute winner helped seal a 1-0 win for La Albiceleste. The following encounter, also a friendly, in 2012, the world witnessed the 34-year-old Barca legend score an outstanding hat trick to secure the victory for his side in a 4-3 thriller.
‘Want to win a title with the national team’
Lionel Messi's search for an international trophy with Argentina continued as the La Albiceleste went closer to the desired trophy by making it through to the final of the Copa America where they will face Brazil.
Argentina have a new hero
Emiliano Martinez needed only a month to establish himself as Argentina's number one goalkeeper and on Tuesday he became a new national hero by saving three times in a shootout in their Copa America semi-final against Colombia.
Messi celebrated the most and yelled ‘dance now’ to ex-teammate
Lionel Messi celebrated effusively during the penalty shootout in the Copa America semifinal between Argentina and Colombia. Argentina media TyC Sports reported that Messi celebrated the saves by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez like no other, shouted for the successful penalties and took his revenge on former Barcelona defender Yerry Mina.
Messi understands why Neymar wanted Argentina-Brazil final
Lionel Messi's search for an international trophy with Argentina continued as the La Albiceleste went closer to the desired trophy by making it through to the final of the Copa America where they will face Brazil. Neymar had wanted Messi in the final and the Argentine spoke about Neymar's wish and Argentina making the final.
We have Emi and he’s phenomenal: Messi
Emiliano Martinez needed only a month to establish himself as Argentina's number one goalkeeper and on Tuesday he became a new national hero by saving three times in a shootout in their Copa America semi-final against Colombia.
Neymar cheering on for Argentina?
Brazil forward Neymar said he hopes Argentina will be their opponents in the Copa America final and has no doubts that the hosts would come out on top against their fierce rivals.