Lionel Messi knows Argentina will have to step up on Sunday when they face Colombia in the final of the Copa América.
Colombia head into the game in Miami on the back of a 28-game unbeaten run stretching back to February 2022, when they lost 1-0 to Argentina.
Messi and Co watched Colombia’s 1-0 win over Uruguay in the semis – a match settled by Jefferson Lerma’s first-half goal before being overshadowed by shameful scenes after the final whistle as fans fought with Uruguay players.
And the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was impressed by Nestor Lorenzo’s men.
One for the ages. pic.twitter.com/EiA8O1iTvK
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 11, 2024
He told Fox Sports: “We were able to watch the Uruguay-Colombia match. We knew that either one of these teams would provide a difficult opponent and the reason why Colombia hasn’t lost for so long is because they are a team that have very good players in every department and they play fast and intense football with top class strikers.”
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Messi relaxed
Argentina had a more straightforward route to Sunday’s final, easing past Canada 2-0 and Messi says he is relaxed ahead of another major occasion.
“It’s a final and finals are always separate matches,” he added. “The truth is that I am calm and waiting for it to arrive, seeing the day to day as always.
“I’m much calmer than before after everything we’ve experienced.
“I’m trying to enjoy things much more, live every moment to the fullest and not speed up time. Just live the moment and when it arrives we will focus on what the game is going to be.”
Farewell to Di Maria
Sunday’s game will be Angel Di Maria’s last appearance for Argentina after the Benfica winger announced he would be retiring from the international game.
And Messi is hoping to give him a fitting send-off.
He said: “He has already made it clear. It is a decisive position. What we see is what you see too.
“We have tried to enjoy things much more and the small moments that we didn’t give so much importance before.
“He is more sensitive than ever and is excited about everything he is experiencing. We tried to stand by him in his last moments in the national team.”
