Kane's class - but England need new No.9 to lead World Cup bid

It's too easy for Ramirez! Clinical Chelsea look ominous

England's biggest winners & losers from the Nations League

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

The best Premier League loanees of the season so far

Szoboszlai in tears as Netherlands vs Hungary is halted

Kroos opens door to Real Madrid return 

Why Ronaldo has been released from the Portugal squad

Rashford branded a 'clown' after attending New York Knicks game

Ronaldo sets clear timeline for retirement

Barcelona icon Pique weighs in on Ronaldo & Messi GOAT debate

Neymar move ruled out as Brazilian club president mocks his injury struggles

Rooney sends heartfelt message to Coleen before jungle stint  

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>All-time great forced off through injury</li><li>Rolled his ankle but still lifted trophy</li><li>Team-mates look to legend for inspiration</li></ul>

Why tearful Lionel Messi took Copa America final goal celebrations away from Argentina hero Lautaro Martinez – with Giovani Lo Celso explaining decision to head for the bench

World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL

Argentina

Peru

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-copa-america-team-of-tournament-argentina-goalkeeper-emi-martinez-trophy-no-45/bltbfe496217f318c29" target="_blank">got his hands on another continental crown</a> after a dramatic 1-0 win over Colombia – with his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/one-more-record-breaking-lionel-messi-celebrates-trophy-win-no-45-wife-antonela-three-sons-join-argentina-copa-america-celebrations/blt200b8b09f6457b50" target="_blank">record-breaking haul of major honours being taken to 45</a>. He was, however, left filling a spectator role towards the end of that contest.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Messi <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-ankle-swells-size-golf-ball-argentina-inter-miami-superstar-tears-injury-copa-america-final-colombia/bltfebca9f5b14d26cd" target="_blank">rolled his ankle on the turf at Hard Rock Stadium</a> in Miami, forcing him from the field. Emotion spilled out of the all-time great as he took up a seat alongside Argentina’s substitutes, with the 37-year-old still working his way back from an untimely injury.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Lo Celso was among those eager to ensure that Messi was still involved in the celebrations that accompanied Lautaro’s match-winning effort against Colombia, telling <a href="https://www.ole.com.ar/ " target="_blank">Ole</a> of why he made a beeline for the bench: “Because of what we were experiencing after Leo's injury, who is our emblem, our captain and who always wants to be on the pitch, and unfortunately with his ankle he couldn't continue. And for us, as team-mates and friends, seeing him suffer like that is not nice.“When the goal came, the first thing that occurred to me was to go and hug him: from the outside you suffer a lot more and I think he deserved it more than anyone else. The first thing that came to my mind after seeing him cry and suffer like that was to go and hug him and dedicate the goal to him.”

WHAT LO CELSO SAID

Messi is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/luis-suarez-getting-closer-injury-update-lionel-messi-inter-miami-captain-recover-ankle-damage/blt897d1888d8c30d5d" target="_blank">yet to return to competitive action with club side Inter Miami</a> – sitting out the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-ruled-out-mls-all-star-game-horror-copa-america-injury-inter-miami-team-mate-luis-suarez-unavailable/blt421591a5dd622226" target="_blank">2024 All-Star game in the United States,</a> as well as his side's defence of the Leagues Cup. He should, however, be back to lead a quest for MLS Cup glory soon.

WHAT NEXT?

Why tearful Lionel Messi took Copa America final goal celebrations away from Argentina hero Lautaro Martinez – with Giovani Lo Celso explaining decision to head for the bench | Goal.com

Lionel Messi took Copa America final goal celebrations away from Lautaro Martinez, with the Argentina superstar left in tears on the bench.