Lionel Messi Scores Sensational Free Kick in Argentina’s Intense Copa America Clash With Chile

• Lionel Messi produced another magical free kick goal but Argentina failed to start their Copa America campaign with a win
• QPR loanee Eduardo Vargas scored late in the game to ensure Lionel Messi’s first half strike meant the game ended in a 1-1 draw
• Messi was said to have been very upset after the game as the 33-year-old is still on the chase of his first ever international title

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Argentina began their quest for glory in the 2021 Copa America competition following a 1-1 draw with Chile, but Lionel Messi stole the headlines once again, Mirror reports.

The Argentine captain scored a beauty from a free-kick in their underwhelming draw to have a staggered start into the competition.

And just before kick-off of the encounter, a brilliant tribute was paid to late legend Diego Maradona who passed away on November 25, 2020.

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Barcelona captain Messi opened the scoring just after the half hour mark with a stunning free kick when he curled the ball over goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and right into the far corner.

La Albaceleste dominated the game right from the start to finish, but the paid dearly for failing to extend their lead when VAR awarded a penalty after Arturo Vidal was brought down in the area.

The Inter Milan midfielder missed his spot kick, but former QPR loanee Eduardo Vargas was quick to react, heading home to claim a point for Chile in Group A.

Messi was extremely unhappy at full time and shared several words with the officials after the game.

Meanwhile, multiple Ballon d’Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have failed to make the top 3 candidates shortlisted for the prestigious award for 2021.

French outlet L'Equipe via Tribuna are reporting that Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are the three frontrunners for the prestigious prize year.

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Messi and Ronaldo have dominated the awards for more than a decade with the duo splitting between themselves 11 awards as the Argentine won it six times while his Portuguese counterpart has scooped it five times.

This year’s award will be the first edition since 2006 that neither Messi nor Ronaldo are among the top 3 candidates.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Bruno Fernandes has stated that his international teammate Cristiano Ronaldo inspires him even when he has had a bad game, Goal.

The Man United midfielder has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of his role model after lighting up his campaign in the Premier League since he joined United from Sporting Lisbon.

Ronaldo has won five Champions League titles and the same number of Ballon d'Or awards in his illustrious career and Fernandes has already been dimed fit to stepping into his shoes.