Messi Finally Wins on the International Stage As Argentina Edge Brazil

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Lionel Messi ended his wait for a first major international title as Argentina beat Brazil in the Copa America final at the famous Maracana stadium.

Barcelona’s all-time top scorer who is now 34, was in pure ecstasy as he dropped to the ground when the final whistle was blown before being swarmed by his teammates.

This was Argentina’s greatest ever finally getting a piece of international silverware and getting a little closer to the legacy of Diego Maradona in what was his 10th major tournament for his nation.

Messi and co. also helped end Argentina's 28-year spell since they last won the Copa America, with only a 2014 World Cup final to boast about in the last two decades.

Argentina’s all-time top scorer was also named the Player of the Tournament after his four goals in the competition, and he was clearly the best South American throughout the tournament.

However, it was Paris Saint-Germain star Angel Di Maria who proved to be the difference on the day with his excellent lobbed effort, after taking down a Rodrigo de Paul pass, which was also very slick.

Messi did, however, have a chance to get a goal in the final and seal the deal, but he slipped at the decisive moment with the goal in his wake.

It would have crowned the perfect final for him, but nevertheless, he was the star of the tournament and a clear deserving winner of the Copa America title this time around.

As for the defending champions Brazil, they were very disappointing and in truth, quite poor. The likes of Neymar went missing throughout the final, but Richarlison and Gabriel Barbosa both forced saves from Emi Martinez, who himself was arguably the best keeper of the tournament.

Neymar, like Messi, was seeking his own personal success for his country for the first time, despite Brazil winning the Copa America two year ago.

The ex-teammate of Messi missed Brazil's 2019 Copa America triumph through injury and this was meant to be his moment on home soil, but despite assisting three goals and scoring two in the competition, it was ultimately a poor game from him.

It was a close final, when looking at the statistics. Brazil saw much of the ball with 59% of it coming their way, and with 13 shots in total, they clearly had their chances.

However, Martinez remained untouched throughout much of the tie and with Messi finishing the Copa America with four goals and five assists, it seemed as if it was just meant to be for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, as he lifted his first international trophy.