Lionel Messi injury update: Argentina star appears to suffer lower leg injury in Copa America final vs. Colombia

Lionel Messi, the Argentina star whose mere presence brings thousands to a stadium, was taken out of La Albiceleste’s Copa America final clash with Colombia at halftime after appearing to suffer a lower leg injury.

The 37-year-old wasn’t able to conjure up his usual magic for much of the first half, blotted by a resolute system of man-marking enacted by Colombian manager Nestor Lorenzo.

Just as he appeared destined to get himself into the game, however, Messi was felled by an untimely ailment. He soon returned and still looked fairly limber as the first half wore on.

Here’s what you need to know as Messi attempts to play on from his first-half issue.

LIVE: Argentina vs. Colombia in 2024 Copa America final

Lionel Messi injury updateIn the 35th minute, Messi found space, being swept away in a delicate piece of interplay between him, Alexis Mac Allister, and Julian Alvarez.

MORE: Why was the Copa América final delayed? 

Alvarez found the little magician with a sumptuous back heel, allowing Messi to run on to it as he scurried toward the touch line. Argentina’s No. 10 attempted to whip a cross into the penalty area before falling out of play. However, his effort was errant, in no large part due to the presence of his marker, Santiago Arias.

As Messi fell out of the play, he appeared to get his lower leg caught underneath a stretching Arias.

Another look at the play that caused Messi to go down ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/K9S0TZ7F0S

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024He proceeded to roll around on the ground before settling on the cusp of the end line and the field, at which point Argentina’s medical personnel tended to his wounds.

Messi rolls around in pain after some heavy contact pic.twitter.com/Ng6Fd6n6u5

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024Messi remained on the canvas for a fair bit of time. Manager Lionel Scaloni sent Copa America top scorer Lautaro Martinez to warm up while Messi was receiving treatment. However, the diminutive playmaker returned to the pitch shortly thereafter. He did, however, limp noticeably when the ball wasn’t at his feet.

With Shakira performing at the Copa America, Messi was granted additional time to recover from his injury.

It was enough time for him to recover from whatever issue was plaguing him toward the end of the first half. Messi returned to the verdant green Hard Rock Stadium pitch for the second, too.

“La Pulga” has one goal in five Copa America matches this year. He missed out on the Peru match after suffering a right thigh issue earlier in the tournament.

Author(s)

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News.