Messi is 37 and has returned the champion of all to the place where he said enough is enough

Albiceleste hearts suddenly stopped. Looks like another final of America Cup defeat against chilliat the locker room exit Lionel Messi moved the world of football: “That’s all. The National Team is over for me.”

Tired of fighting unsuccessfully to win the title Argentina, the captain on the night of June 27, 2016 resigned from his team. It happened in the stadium MetLife of New Jersey. It happened in the same place where the 10 will return this Tuesday, June 25, 2024, exactly three o’clock in the morning of the Spanish Wednesday, and an irony against the same rival. A day after celebrating his birthday, because now he is 37. And there will be a big difference: the genius this time will come as the champion of all.

eight years ago, Messi He was more than eloquent: “There. The National Team is over for me. It’s 4 finals, not for me. I searched, this is what I wanted the most and it was not given to me. That’s it. I have tried many. It hurts me more not to be the champion in Argentina, but that’s how it is. It didn’t happen and unfortunately I’m leaving without getting it.”

Shortly before that statement, Argentina was defeated in sanctions against the chilli the second Copa América final in two years. Leo started very well, speeding and dribbling, causing two consecutive fouls and the expulsion of Marcelo Diaz 27 minutes into the first half. The development was suitable for the albiceleste, but Marcos Rojo was uncharacteristically sent off, without any need, before the end of the first period and everything was equal.

Back, like in Santiago in 2015, Argentina and Chile They defined the Copa América on penalties. It was like Albiceleste joy because Chiquito Romero saved Arturo Vidal’s first shot. Messi had a chance to take advantage early in the series, but he hit the crossbar hard. Then it failed Lucas Biglia and he celebrated Chile again.

They are minutes in the field of celebration of Chile and utter sadness of Messi. Images of a heartbroken Leo, covering his face with his shirt, leaning against the roof of the bank, with tears in his arms, went viral around the world. If Aguero… A little while later the resignation of the albiceleste came. It was a veritable tsunami that almost erased the happy precedent of 2012 at the same stadium, when the number 10 scored a hat-trick against Brazil in a…

Eight years later, Messi back to Life met and all are very different. He is 37 years old, now open. He returned as champion of the Copa América, the Finalissima and the World Cup. Ultra winner. With a team that supports him, that feeds him, that makes him happy. Without the destruction of European football, with the licenses that Inter Miami gives him to fix his physique, with muscle treatment to prevent injuries. And more at present.

Messi unlocked Argentina’s first victory in this Copa América. He didn’t have a goal of his own, but he made two magical passes to the pair of Albiceleste shouts that made it 2-0 against Canada, in a match where he also became the footballer with the most appearances (35) in the history of this continental competition. It happened in Atlanta. Now, eight years later, it’s his turn to return to MetLife, again against Chile. Everything is very different now.