Emotional Lionel Messi says ‘the happiness I feel is indescribable’ after FINALLY breaking his international trophy duck with Argentina in Copa America triumph as superstar claims ‘I knew I’d get it some day’
An emotional Lionel Messi claimed ‘the happiness I feel is indescribable’ after finally winning an international trophy with Argentina following victory in the Copa America.
The superstar finally celebrated winning a major title with his country 16 years on from his first cap after Angel Di Maria’s first-half lob secured a 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Brazil in the final at the Maracana.
An international trophy had for a long time been the only title left to win for the 34-year-old icon after suffering final heartache in three previous Copa America’s and the 2014 World Cup.
Lionel Messi was jubilant after finally winning an international trophy with Argentina
A 1-0 victory over Brazil at Maracana secured the first trophy of Messi’s international career
Amid the jubilant celebrations after finally breaking his duck, Messi told TyC Sports: ‘The truth is that this is crazy. There would be no better moment than this. The happiness is immense, I knew that at some point it was going to happen. The happiness I feel right now indescribable.’
‘After the last Copa I told these players that they will be the future of the National Team. I was not mistaken, and now today we are champions.’
‘I had a lot of confidence in this group, which has grown in strength since the last Copa America. They are a group of very good people, who advance and do not complain.
‘I’m very happy! I dreamed about this many times.’
He was full of praise for his team-mates as following the final whistle at the Maracana
Messi was more explicit on his social media after the triumph, writing on his Instagram alongside a picture of him with the trophy: ‘What a beautiful madness!!! This is amazing, thanl God!!! We are the champions, the c*** of your mother’.
Despite claiming virtually every trophy and record there is during his illustrious career at club level, the forward has been criticised for his lack of success with the national side.
Messi lost to Brazil in his first Copa America final in 2007, before twice losing on penalties to Chile in 2015 and 2016, missing in the shootout himself in the latter.
An international trophy was seen as Messi’s final hurdle after going close four times in past
He also played an instrumental role in helping his side to the 2014 World Cup final before narrowly losing against Germany in extra time.
‘I needed to get rid of the thorn of being able to achieve something with the national team, I was very close for many years. I left sad a few times, but I knew I’d get it someday. I think there is no better moment than this.’
‘This match will go down in history, not only because we became champions, but because it is against Brazil and on their land. I thank God for giving me this moment.’