Lionel Messi Pictured Consoling Neymar After Argentina's Copa America Victory

Lionel Messi Pictured Consoling Neymar After Argentina's Copa America Victory

Babajide Orevba, Ibitoye Shittu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:46 PM
In this article:
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  • Neymar was reduced to tears shortly after Brazil's Copa America final defeat to Argentina
  • Angel Di Maria's first-half goal made all the difference at the Maracana Stadium as Argentina were crowned champs
  • Messi walked up the Neymar after the final whistle before the pair had an emotional embrace
  • The duo had earlier been awarded the 'player of the tournament' prize by CONMEBOL

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Lionel Messi has shown his kind side after he was pictured consoling his former Barcelona teammate Neymar shortly after the Copa America final.

Neymar reacts after Brazil's Copa America defeat. Photo by Alexandre Schneider.
Neymar was reduced to tears shortly after Brazil's Copa America final defeat to Argentina. Photo by Alexandre Schneider.
Source: Getty Images

Messi's Argentina stunned rivals Brazil 1-0 to be crowned champions of South America.

Brazil silenced Peru en route to the final of the competition, with Argentina seeing off Colombia to set up a crunch meeting with the Samba Boys.

However, it was Lionel Scaloni's men who eventually emerged as continental champions, with Angel Di Maria's first-half goal making all the difference.

The title was Argentina's first in 28 years and meant everything for Messi who was desperate to end his International curse.

The final whistle at the historic Maracana Stadium saw Neymar break into tears before Messi went over to commiserate with him.

Earlier before the kickoff, the two players had been awarded the 'player of the tournament' prize.

“It is not possible to choose only one (best) player because this tournament has two of them," a CONMEBOL statement said.

CONMEBOL's technical study group further noted the duo played an influential role in their teams.

Both Messi and Neymar turned out together at Barca for four years before the latter moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

Neymar wants to face Argentina in Copa America final

Earlier, Legit.ng had reported how Angel Di Maria explained that Lionel Messi told him the Copa America final was his moment to shine as the Paris Saint-Germain forward scored the goal that condemned Brazil to a defeat.

Finally, Lionel Messi has won a title with Argentina as him and his teammates defeated Brazil 1-0 in the final of the 2021 Copa America.

It was a tough game for both sides as the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar faced in the encounter even though none of them was able to score.

Injuries have prevented Angel Di Maria to miss many big finals for Argentina including the 2016 Copa America before he played in the 2021 edition.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
Ibitoye Shittu photo
Ibitoye Shittu
Editor- Local Desk
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