Copa America 2024 Final: Lionel Messi is one of the most humble players in the history of not just football, but all of sports. The 36-year old Argentine great is admired, adored, and respected worldwide and has often produced moments that are worth talking about innumerous times.
One such moment unfolded before the eyes of fans in attendance at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens and millions around the world, as the 'La Pulga', during the medal ceremony, asked the officials on the podium to let veterans Angel Di Maria, and Nicolas Otamendi lift the trophy alongside him. This act of humbleness earned praise around the world and the clip has now gone viral.
Watch here:
Usually, during the medal presentation, the runners-up team, referees and match officials, and the winners walk on the podium to collect their medals and the winning team walks in the end to pick their medals, with the team's captain to be the last one receiving the medal and collecting the trophy to celebrate with his teammates.
So, when it was Lionel Messi's turn just after Rodrigo De Paul to collect his medal, the forward had a small talk with the AFA President and few officials, and made a gesture with his hand, which was in indication to let Nicolas Otamendi and Angel Di Maria know to come forward and collect the trophy alongside him.
The trio then collected the trophy and walked towards their teammates and celebrated, as La Albiceleste and their fans at the stadium erupted in sheer joy to celebrate the historic triumph.
Lionel Messi's Copa America 2024 Campaign In Numbers
Lionel Messi did not have a wonderful Copa America 2024 statistically, but this stands as a blessing in disguise, as this was the first major tournament where Lionel Messi was not the best player for Argentina in their title triumph. The legendary player recorded merely 1 goal and 1 assist throughout the tournament and was not amongst the most successful dribblers of the tournament.