AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
LIONEL Messi has described it as the greatest day in 2021, one that he dreamt of many times.
He said: “What a beautiful madness ! This is amazing. Thank God ! We are the champions ! Let’s go… Vamos !”
Football players and fans around the world applauded as Messi led Argentina to a 1-0 victory over hosts and defending champions Brazil in a titanic clash of global football giants in the Copa America Cup.
The win at the Maracana Stadium was Messi’s first victory in a major tournament and he could not hide his excitement at the final whistle. An emotional Messi dropped to the ground and was mobbed by his teammates who, in celebration, hurled him into the air.
The victory, brought by a sublime lob from striker Angel di Maria, ended Argentina’s 28-year drought since they won the Copa America. Fittingly, Messi, Argentina’s captain, was named best player of the tournament.
Di Maria, in a social media post after the game, said to Messi: “You deserve it more than anyone. You’re the best in the world, as you were in the semi-finals and as you are now. You are a champion”.
Messi, winner of the FIFA Player of the Year award a record six times, has won every club and individual honour with Barcelona but national and international honours have eluded him, until today.
One of the iconic moments after the final whistle was when Messi and Brazil star Neymar had a long hug, with raw emotions there for everyone to see.
Leo Messi on Instagram: The old guard. #WeAreMessi 🇦🇷💙🏆 pic.twitter.com/er8j4Ng3Ox
— Leo Messi 🔟 (@WeAreMessi) July 11, 2021
Goat. My guy had Brazilians supporting Argentina for this game#Messi pic.twitter.com/5UgHfhfT7l
— Van Dijk (@6VanDijk) July 11, 2021
