After a disappointing penalty shootout for Colombia against Argentina, Yerry Mina is not angry at Lionel Messi for the Copa America banter.
Colombia international Yerry Mina urged that he does not hold any grudges against Lionel Messi despite clashing during the Copa America tournament.
It happened at the end of Colombia and Argentinaβs semifinal in July, as Leo and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez mocked the Everton star. As we all witnessed, the Albiceleste came out victorious in the penalty shootout and went on to lift the trophy against Brazil in the final.
Mina made an attempt to explain the situation with Leo during a charity event in his hometown, Guachene. He said: “What happened with Leo is something that can happen at any moment, this is football.”
“Life goes round in circles, it always gives you a second chance, but I am calm because I know that Leo is a great person.”
What actually happened?
If the entire scene is still unclear, what happened was that Mina was taunted by Messi and Martinez before and after his vital penalty miss in the shootout. “Dance now, go on, dance now,” the Barca star had screamed after his colleague made the save.
This mockery was a reference to Mina shaking a leg after scoring a penalty during the quarters against Uruguay. However, in spite of everything that took place, the Colombian has not lost respect for the mercurial Argentine.
“I met him at Barcelona and I thank him for the support that he gave me, I will always respect him,” Mina added. “I admire Messi for what he is, at that time we were both defending our National Team.
“If I could give my life for my national team, I would give it, but what happened was left [out on the pitch], there’s nothing to it.”
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