Lionel Messi in tears after injury in Copa America final

Lionel Messi broke down in tears after suffering a non-contact injury in the Copa America final. In the 63rd minute of Sunday's match between Argentina and Colombia, Messi tried to catch winger Luis Diaz but the latter lost his footing and crashed to the ground. Argentina eventually won the match 1-0 in extra time thanks to Lautaro Martinez's goal.

The 37-year-old appeared to be in severe pain and immediately called for medical attention. After lying on the ground for several moments, Messi took off his boot and limped off the pitch under his own power. Upon reaching the Argentina touchline, he threw his boot down in anger and collapsed into his seat.

Once seated, Messi could no longer contain his emotions, letting out a wave of tears while burying his face in his hands. According to Jenny Taft of Fox Sports, his teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Angel Di Maria were the first to rush to him and embrace him as regulation time ended in a 0-0 draw.

Earlier in the first half, in the 36th minute, Messi was again injured as he tried to stop the ball before it went out of bounds. After taking a free-kick near the end line, the Argentina captain awkwardly planted his right foot and appeared to have his left ankle rolled by Colombia's Santiago Arias.

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Messi was seen grimacing in pain, holding his right leg after a hard fall on the pitch. The team's medical staff rushed to him and treated the area for a long time before helping him up. He was able to return shortly after and play despite the pain.

Messi, who came on as a substitute on Sunday, was already struggling with a persistent leg injury that had plagued him throughout this year's Copa America, having missed Argentina's 2-0 win over Peru in the group stage final last month.

The question is whether Messi could make his Copa America debut on Sunday. After a stellar performance that earned him his 109th international goal for Argentina against Canada, the Inter Miami sensation hinted at his future with his national team, saying: “As I said before, I intend to continue.”

“I intend to continue living day by day without thinking about what will happen in the future or whether I will continue or not. It is something that I simply live every day. I am 37 years old and only God knows when the end will come.”