New Delhi: Argentina football team captain Lionel Messi said that he has been enjoying his ‘last battles’ with the national team after they booked a spot in the Copa America on Wednesday.
Argentina blanked Canada 2-0 in the first semi-final of the continental championship thanks to goals from Julian Alvarez (22 mins) and Messi (51) himself. Just coming six minutes into the second half, Messi deflected from mid-fielder Enzo Fernandez’s pass.
This was the first goal for the Argentine talisman in this edition of the Copa America, taking his overall tally to 109 goals. The 37-year-old forward, who inspired the La Albiceleste to their third World Cup title a couple of years ago, has hinted on his final years in international football.
“I’m living it like I lived it in the last Copa America, in the last World Cup. These are the last battles and I’m enjoying them to the maximum,” Messi told TyC Sports after the semi-final triumph.
Although it’s not clear whether Messi will play his last Copa America event, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said their all-time highest goal-scorer can take his own time to decide his retirement.
“We have to leave him alone, he knows that we will not be the ones to close the door on him. He can stay with us as long as he wants, even when he retires…Let him decide what he wants,” Scaloni said.
Argentina are the defending champions of Copa America and will face either Uruguay or Colombia in the final on Monday (IST) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
Lionel Messi becomes second highest goal-scorer in international football
With his goal powering Argentina to their sixth Copa America final in the last eight editions, Lionel Messi became the second most goal-scorer in the international football arena. He surpassed former Iranian footballer Ali Daei’s tally of 108 goals. Only Portugal captain and forward Cristiano Ronaldo (130 goals in 212 matches) has more goals than Messi.
Argentina football team captain Lionel Messi said that he has been enjoying his ‘last battles’ with the national team after they booked a spot in the Copa America on Wednesday. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
