The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was able to finally get his hands on something he had desired for a long time – an international trophy.
Diego Maradona would’ve shed tears of joy to see Lionel Messi lift the Copa America trophy with Argentina, says La Albiceleste’s former coach and player Cesar Menotti.
Under the Barcelona talisman’s captaincy, Argentina won their first major title in nearly three decades when they beat Brazi in the Copa America final 2020 last month.
The mercurial forward was the competition’s standout performer, having a hand in an incredible nine of his side’s total 13 goals.
It was Maradona, who now rests in peace, who had last guided Argentina to a major honor in the shape of the Artemio Franchi Trophy in 1993.
“Diego, if he were still here, would have been very happy with this title. He would have been out there hugging Messi and there would have been tears,” said Menotti, per Goal.
“Messi is at the top of his game. He’s happy and not just about the win, but also because he’s surrounded by people who love him. Messi did amazing things for this team. Messi is a player who, unlike others, is prepared to win a match, to make his teammates play well and make his team play well.
He added, “It’s also complicated being Messi, you know. He’s at his best in every sense – emotionally and physically. He’s a boy who’s always prepared.”
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