Colombia Boss Admits Reluctance To Win After Lionel Messi’s Injury in Copa America 2024 Final

Many hearts skipped a beat when Lionel Messi tearfully limped to the bench with a twisted ankle during the Copa America final. His and Argentina’s faithful wondered if the team would win the title without their main man. Thankfully, Lautaro Martinez delivered and La Albiceleste clinched its 16th Copa title. What if the finale in Miami had a different outcome? What if Colombia took home the prestigious Cup? Colombia’s Argentine coach, Nestor Lorenzo, could have secured his first major international honor. But if that were the case, Lorenzo would not have gone home a content man!

In a rather surprising admission, Lorenzo reveals that Messi’s injury bothered him more in the final than the outcome of the heavyweight clash itself. said Lorenzo as compiled by Messi World on X. While it is quite shocking of a rival coach to say this, the Argentine in Nestor Lorenzo couldn’t help but empathize with his compatriot and World champion Lionel Messi.

Thereafter, the Colombian coach added that Colombia’s hypothetic victory would have been a comforting one, as they gained the advantage when Messi left the pitch. “He is a decisive player, he can decide the match at any moment, and his leaving the field gives the opponent a great comfort,” Lorenzo said.

Speaking of Lionel Messi’s injury, he has missed four Inter Miami games since the Copa, courtesy of this ankle ligament tear. What is the latest injury update about the Inter Miami captain? When will he be back for the South Florida side? Let’s find out.

Lionel Messi’s ankle recovery is on the positive path, thankfully

After two MLS wins in Lionel Messi’s absence, Inter Miami opened its Leagues Cup campaign by beating Puebla, again without the injured Argentine. Till that Puebla game, the 8x-Ballon d’Or winner was wearing an orthopedic boot and was training in isolation from the rest of the Herons camp. Anyhow, before Miami’s Leagues Cup loss against Tigres UANL, coach Tata Martino said Messi no longer needed the assistance of the walking boot. Besides, the veteran boss also confirmed that the captain’s recovery was progressing positively.

Yet, Martino sidelined Messi for the clash against Tigres UANL, which Miami lost 2-1. The Herons next play Toronto in the Leagues Cup’s knockout stage on Thursday. Since it is a do-or-die game and it is paramount for Miami to defend their Leagues Cup title, we could expect Martino to bring back Messi on Thursday. Until then, similar to the empathetic Nestor Lorenzo, the world is eagerly waiting for the 37-year-old talisman to get back to the pitch.