"The Copa America is over and the first thing I want to thank everyone for the messages and greetings," Messi said on Instagram, one day after injuring his right ankle in the Copa final against Colombia in Miami.
Sunday's final, which Colombia lost to Argentina, started over an hour late after police initiated a lockdown that left hundreds of fans stuck outside Florida's Hard Rock Stadium. Videos on social media showed security scuffling with fans attempting to breach the gates.
Hard Rock Stadium will host seven games at the 2026 World Cup which the USA is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada.
From the depths of despair to the heights of glory, Argentina's redemption story is a testament to perseverance and the indomitable spirit of camaraderie.
Cheering fans, many wrapped in Argentine flags, partied around the city's iconic Obelisk in the early hours of the morning despite the low temperatures of the southern hemisphere winter.
This was Messi’s fourth straight international title, having won the Copa America in 2021, the Finalissima in 2022 and the FIFA World Cup in 2022 before defending the Copa title this year in the USA.
"I don't know if it marks an era, but it's true this team never ceases to surprise, they overcame the difficulties of a very difficult match, with a very complicated opponent and without a good first half," Scaloni said.
"We could not ask those guys for anything more, they do not stop giving us joy amid all the economic tension that we live with day-to-day," said Pablo Rutz, a 26-year-old student.
Lautaro Martinez, this season's Serie A top scorer, put Argentina ahead with a penalty kick in the 39th minute before netting his second from a Messi pass after the break.
Doubles from Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez earned Argentina a 4-1 victory against Guatemala in their final Copa America warm-up.
The 48th edition of the event is all set to feature ten teams from South America's CONMEBOL and six teams from North America's CONCACAF, including representatives from Central America and the Caribbean, competing across 14 venues for nearly a month.
The US had been under pressure to deliver a performance after last weekend's 5-1 loss to Colombia and the result marked just the second time in 20 matches they avoided defeat by the five-times World Cup winners.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina will look to defend their title against the likes of Brazil, Mexico and the United States. Copa America will kick off with Argentina taking on Canada.
The tournament will be held in 14 cities across the United States, from June 20 to July 14, 2024, with each location hosting 2 or 3 games.
The tournament will be held between June 20 and July 14 in the United States.
Di Maria, named as captain for the game with Lionel Messi on the bench, bagged his 31st international goal in the 40th minute of an entertaining clash at Soldier Field.
"I'm very grateful to God for another opportunity to score for the national team," said Endrick.
Coach Dorival Junior, who assumed the Brazil job in January, decided to rest first-choice players such as Vinicius Jr, Endrick, Rodrygo and Raphinha. However, the alternative line-up paid off as they took an early lead when Andreas Pereira scored from a Savio pass in the 5th.