Lionel Messi Finally Speaks After Winning 1st Title With Argentina Senior Team in 16 Years

Lionel Messi Finally Speaks After Winning 1st Title With Argentina Senior Team in 16 Years

Oluwatomiwa Babalola
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:47 PM
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  • Argentina captain Lionel Messi will cherish this moment for a long time in his life after winning the Copa America title
  • The 34-year-old inspired La Albiceleste to a 1-0 triumph over Brazil in the final of the continental championship
  • The 34-year-old superstar also won the top scorer and the best player awards at the end of the tournament

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Lionel Messi has ended his long wait for international silverware after winning the Copa America title with Argentina this summer.

Angel Di Maria's lone strike in the first half was all the La Albiceleste needed to beat tournament hosts Brazil at the Maranaca Stadium.

Meanwhile, while reacting to the triumph, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner said he could not quantify his joy for breaking the jinx.

Messi on Argentina's Copa America win: 'I can't explain how happy I feel'
Lionel Messi giving Copa America title the kiss of his life after waiting 16 years to win silverware with Argentina. Photo by CARL DE SOUZA / AFP
Source: Getty Images

The 34-year-old needed to reach his fifth final in all competitions before eventually lifting a trophy for the Argentine national team.

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Lionel Messi reacts to winning the Copa America title

Messi had been to three Copa America and one World Cup finals but settled for the silver medal in all four appearances until he was determined to win in 2021. ESPN quoted the forward saying:

"I was close many times. I knew it would happen eventually. I am grateful to God for giving me this moment, in Brazil against Brazil. I think He was saving this moment for me.
"I still don't think we are aware of what we have done, beyond becoming champions. Now we're really happy, celebrating, but this is a game for the history books, beating Brazil in a final in Brazil.
"It's crazy. I can't explain how happy I feel. I've been sad many times [with Argentina after tournaments] but I knew it would happen and there's no better moment. This team deserved it."

Messi also claimed the top scorer's award as well as the best player of the tournament as the Albiceleste ended their 28-year wait for a trophy.

Lionel Messi won Copa America's top scorer and best player awards

Legit.ng earlier reported that Lionel Messi went to Brazil to scoop most of the awards available after an impressive display at the 2021 edition of the Copa America Championship.

The 34-year-old won his first major title with Argentina for the first time in his career after his Argentina team defeated hosts Brazil 1-0 in the final at the Maracana Stadium.

Paris Saint Germain superstar Angel Di Maria scored and Rodrigo De Paul combined to score the only goal that handed La Albiceleste the silverware.

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