“We still have one more step to go” - Lionel Messi reminds Argentina teammates on social media after reaching Copa America final
Lionel Messi has reminded his Argentina teammates that there's still one more match to go before they win Copa America 2024. La Albiceleste booked a spot in the final after beating Canada 2-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday, July 9.
Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, after which Messi himself doubled his team's lead in the second half (51'). Argentina enjoyed slightly more possession (51%), taking 11 shots compared to their opposition's nine.
Emiliano Martinez had to deal with two shots on target from Canada, one fewer than the opposition goalkeeper. Following this match, Messi posted images from the game on Instagram and wrote in the caption:
"LETTSSS GOOOO!!! ON TO THE FINALS!!! Very happy to make it again to the last Copa America match. We still have one more step to go."
With Messi now 37 years old, it could well be his final major international competition for Argentina. To date, he's made 186 appearances across competitions for the national team, bagging 109 goals and 58 assists.
In the ongoing edition, Messi has scored and assisted once each in four matches. He already has a World Cup and a Copa America trophy to his name in international football.
Argentina will come up against Uruguay or Colombia in the final on Sunday (July 14).
Lionel Messi says he's in his 'last battles' as Argentina book place in Copa America final
Lionel Messi has hinted at the fact that he could be nearing retirement while speaking after Argentina sealed their place in the final of this year's Copa America.
The Barcelona legend is contracted with Inter Miami till December 2025, and we could hope for him to feature in competitive action till then. He told TyC Sports (via WION):
"It's not easy for us to be in a final again, for us to compete to be champions. I'm liking it like I lived the last Copa America, in the last World Cup. These are the last battles and I'm enjoying them to the maximum."
Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory as recently as 2022, where the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner scored seven goals and assisted thrice. He was awarded the Golden Ball for being the competition's best player.