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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="better-collective-widget">{"type":"better-collective-widget","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Fitness problems held all-time great back</li><li>Among the goals in semi-final victory</li><li>Ready to chase down more major silverware</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Lionel Messi sends defiant ‘lost my fear’ message ahead of Copa America final – with Argentina captain lifting the lid on injury issues

<p>The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-explains-why-panenka-penalty-crossbar-admits-feeling-scared-injury-argentina-copa-america-quarter-final-ecuador/bltee0a1f25009bbd29" target="_blank">looking to savour continental success</a> with his country for a second time. Fitness problems have hindered his cause, with a muscle complaint forcing him to sit out a group stage clash with Peru. He <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/argentina-player-ratings-canada-lionel-messi-copa-america/blt61e1ed92b22ebb2e" target="_blank">netted his first goal of the competition</a> in a semi-final win over Canada and claims to be back in shape for <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-has-struggled-argentina-copa-america-he-can-go-missing-final/blt05b8d3b0c7591b09" target="_blank">a meeting with Colombia that will see major silverware come up for grabs</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi has told <a href="https://www.directvsports.com/futbol/Messi-sobre-su-lesion-en-la-Copa-America-Tenia-en-la-cabeza-que-algo-tenia-pero-ya-estoy-bien.-Perdielmiedo-20240713-0011.html " target="_blank"><em>Dsports </em></a>of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/will-lionel-messi-fit-copa-america-quarter-final-injury-update-inter-miami-superstar-argentina-ecuador-nrg-stadium-houston/blt9c6053e757a8b7ad" target="_blank">contending with physical issues</a>: “With Canada I felt very good physically. With Chile I had an adductor problem and I no longer played comfortably. I was already slowed down, it bothered me when I had to stand up or move laterally. And with Ecuador I arrived just in time too. I was fine from the injury, but I had that in my head that I had something wrong. In the last match [against Canada] I lost my fear, I felt better and for the final I will feel better.”</p>

WHAT MESSI SAID

<p>Messi is the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-reacts-first-step-towards-trophy-no-45-most-decorated-player-history-argentina-copa-america-win-canada/blt93b2c86e895375f9" target="_blank">most-decorated player in history, with 44 honours to his name</a>, and is determined to deliver more inspiration for the next generation when it comes to the art of trophy collecting. He added: “This is a very young generation, and they were champions of America, of the World... They are 23, 24 and 25 years old. They have a whole career with the national team ahead of them. I hope they don't lose the desire to continue winning, competing and transmitting the same message to those who come after them. For me, the fundamental thing is to have a good group. From there, achievements can come.”</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Argentina claimed the Copa crown in 2021, before going on to beat European champions Italy in the Finalissima. Messi then inspired a memorable World Cup win at Qatar 2022, with questions being asked of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/will-copa-america-final-lionel-messi-last-game-argentina-lionel-scaloni-coaching-invite-inter-miami-star-talk-of-retirement/blt8e6b9404b914fd4b" target="_blank">how many international appearances the 37-year-old forward has left in him</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Lionel Messi sends defiant ‘lost my fear’ message ahead of Copa America final – with Argentina captain lifting the lid on injury issues | Goal.com Kenya

Lionel Messi has sent a defiant “lost my fear” message ahead of the Copa America final, with the Argentina superstar discussing his injury issues.