Lionel Messi finally won his first international trophy for his nation as an Angel Di Maria goal was sufficient for Argentina to beat Brazil 1-0 in Rio de Janeiro.
Messi and Neymar squared off against each other for over 90 minutes of match play at the Maracana Stadium as the main icons epitomizing the intense, historical rivalry on the football pitch between South American giants Argentina and Brazil.
The close friendship between the two of football’s most iconic strikers was set aside temporarily as both nations locked horns once again in a histrionic feud on the pitch that’s spanned decades.
The battle was intense and furious, with neither side giving way as some of the most highly-venerated gladiators of modern football from both sides of the Latin American divide were locked in combat. And when the fury and furore of the battle was finally over, the fog cleared to reveal two gladiators in a hugely emotional embrace after Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final on Sunday.
Lionel Messi and his bosom buddy and former strike partner were once again reunited in harmony after having despatched their national duties on the international pitch.
A first-half Angel Di Maria goal was enough to see La Albiceleste win their first piece of silverware since 1993 and see Messi claim his first trophy for his country.
There were scenes of utter jubilation at the full-time whistle as the whole Argentina team ran to Messi to celebrate the feat.
But on the other side of the coin Neymar was left in tears of despair as he once again failed to inspire his Brazil team to glory.
Messi and Neymar played together at Barcelona for glorious four seasons, and are still nurturing a close relationship nurtured by mutual respect, admiration and sincere love for each other on and off the pitch.
Before the presentation of the trophy to Argentina, the pair were locked in an emotional embrace for around 30 seconds that said it all and whispered to each other while Messi’s teammates jumped around them with joy.
Messi took to Instagram after the match and posted a picture of himself with the trophy, along with the caption:
“What a beautiful madness!!! This is amazing, Thank God!!! WE ARE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!! Let’s f****** gooooo!”
Meanwhile Di Maria, the official hero of the evening, paid tribute to the captain, posting a picture of the two of them and saying: “You deserve it more than anyone. You’re the best in the world, as you were in the semi-finals and as you are now. You are a champion.”
Messi has finally stepped up to the plate finally on the international arena and dispelled the myth about his inability to deliver international glory for his beloved Argentina. He had broken the hex that jinxed his many heart-breaking missions in search of glory for his nation. Like Alexander, the great conqueror of old, he had finally severed the Gordon Knot.
Now with the international business done and dusted, it would be the right opportune time to turn his attention to his business with the Camp Nou top brass and their messy contract situation with him. After all, although a technical hitch, the 34-year-old is currently without a club after his deal with Barcelona expired end of last month.