Lionel Messi Must Perform in Copa America Final After Driving Argentina to Brink

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: June 23, 2016

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HOUSTON, Texas — Lionel Messi shifted his eyes to his right and saw Gonzalo Higuain talking to journalists further down the long mixed-zone line at the NRG Stadium. If he timed it right, he could leave the Argentinian television reporters he was speaking to, evade the ones speaking to Higuain and get onto the team coach.

But the Napoli striker, whom he had set up for the final goal in Argentina’s 4-0 crushing of the United States, left, and Messi was the last Argentina player to make his way out. So he rushed past the written-press journalists, stopping only to sign one American reporter’s programme.

"Asking for autographs or personal photos will result in the loss of your credential," read warning signs taped to the barrier of the mixed zone that divides players from journalists, but this guy did not care. Maybe it was the end of his tournament anyway, or perhaps he just had to capitalise on the rare, precious moment of Messi being in his city.

He wasn’t collared for it, although Messi later was, speaking once more to reporters at the end of the mixed zone before he could leave. Someone he knew called out to him, and that was it, he was sucked in.



Messi is a shy character, but there was plenty to talk about on a night in which he inspired Argentina as they reached another major final—their third in three years.

His free-kick—a stupendous, rasping effort that seemed to defy gravity as it lashed its way into Brad Guzan’s top-left corner, the side of the goal he was protecting—was Argentina’s second goal of the night and sent them well on their way to reaching the Copa America Centenario final.

It was also the 55th of his international career, a number that makes him Argentina’s all-time top scorer, after he equalled Gabriel Batistuta’s record with his goal against Venezuela in the quarter-final.

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Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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