Lionel Messi enjoying “last battles” for Argentina as Copa America final beckons
- Argentina star looks back to his old self in 2-0 win over Canada at MetLife Stadium
Lionel Messi said he was enjoying his “last battles” with Argentina after finding the net in a 2-0 win over Canada on Tuesday to book a place in the Copa America final.
After a lacklustre display against Ecuador in the quarter-finals at the MetLife Stadium, the 37-year-old looked back to himself again, connecting with Angel Di Maria and strike partner Julian Alvarez, who also scored.
Now playing with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, Messi has yet to indicate whether he would continue to play with Argentina in the 2026 World Cup.
“I’m living it like I lived it in the last Copa America, in the last World Cup … these are the last battles and I’m enjoying them to the maximum,” he told TyC Sports after the win set up a meeting with Uruguay or Colombia in the final.
But asked about Messi’s “last battles” comment, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni asked for calm.
“We have to leave him alone, he knows that we will not be the ones to close the door on him. He can stay with us as long as he wants, even when he retires … Let him decide what he wants,” he said.
