Messi made history as he steered Argentina to a 1:0 win against Brazil to win his first international senior Trophy. Angel Di Maria gave Argentina the win with his goal in the 22nd minute courtesy of an assist from Rodrigo de Paul to end Argentina's 28 year wait for an international trophy.
Messi who made his international debut sixteen years ago had surrendered international football football in 2016 after successive Copa America final losses to Chile but won after a major international trophy on the fourth attempt (final) having lost in world cup final 2014, Copa America final 2015 and 2016 and finally 2021.
Messi was named man of the tournament having scored four goals and assisted more five with a record seventh Balloon Dor possibly on his way coming.
The win means Argentina beat Brazil in the Copa America finals for the first time since 1937 and takes the Albicelete level in Copa America trophies with Uruguay (15).
With 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and six Ballons d'Or, Messi who has played at ten major international tournaments (four World Cup tournaments and six Copa America) looked incomplete without an international trophy.
The stats:
Lionel Messi during the 2021 Copa América:
◉ =Most goals
◉ Most assists
◉ Most shots
◉ Most shots on target
◉ =Most chances created
◉ Most goals outside the box
◉ Most through balls
◉ Most accurate final ⅓ passes
-Emi Martínez has kept more clean sheets (4) than any other goalkeeper at the 2021 Copa América, becoming the first Argentina goalkeeper to win the Golden Glove since the award's introduction. Also his save percentage at the Copa América was an incredible 85.71%.
Ángel Di María is the first player on record to be named Man of the Match in a Champions League final and a Copa América final.
Ángel Di María is the first Argentina player to score in a Copa América final since César Delgado in 2004.
Argentina XI: Damian Martinez, Otamendi, Acuna, Montiel, Romero, De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso, Messi, Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez
Brazil XI: Ederson, Thiago Silva, Danilo, Marquinhos, Renan Lodi, Casemiro, Fred, Everton, Lucas Paqueta, Richarlison, Neymar
