Lionel Messi won his first major international title as Argentina beat Brazil in the Copa America final in Rio’s Maracana stadium.
Messi, 34, dropped to the ground in joy and then was flung in the air in celebration.
With this win, he finally claimed the top-level honours with his country in his 10th major tournament.
He also helped end Argentina’s 28-year spell since they last won the competition.
Hence, he was named player of the tournament after his four goals in the match.
Angel di Maria became the matchwinner with his excellent pitch, after taking down Rodrigo de Paul’s lobbed pass.
However, Messi could have signed off the win but skidded with the goal at his mercy, in what would have been the perfect finale for the Argentine captain.
After the game, Messi praised the attitude of the Argentine team and said “The happiness is immense”. “Many times I dreamed of this,” he added.
“I had a lot of confidence in this group that became very strong since the last Copa America. It is a group of very good people, who always push forward, who never complain about anything.”
Brazil lost with their only chances of note coming when Richarlison and Gabriel Barbosa forced saves from Emi Martinez.
In contrast of emotions, Messi’s opposite number 10 and former Barcelona team-mate Neymar sank to his knees in tears at the final whistle, as his own personal pursuit of international success continues, having missed Brazil’s 2019 Copa win through injury.
Both the players played together at the Nou Camp between 2013 and 2017 before the Brazilian’s move to Paris St-Germain, embraced in a long-lasting hug while they waited for the trophy ceremony.
“If you knew the way that he [Messi] played in the Copa America you’d love him even more,” said Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni.
“You can never do without a player like him, even when he is not fully fit like in this game and the previous one.”
A small crowd of 7,000 invited guests, watched the game because of Covid-19 restrictions. Thus, this was the first tournament to have spectators in appearance.
The scarce home supporters made their voices heard, though, particularly every time Messi touched the ball, booing and jeering the forward.
The tournament, delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic and moved from initial co-hosts Colombia and Argentina, was switched to Brazil in a last-minute decision which received criticism in light of a surge in coronavirus cases in the country.
