With a 2-0 win over Canada, Lionel Messi led Argentina to the Copa America final
After scoring in Argentina's 2-0 semifinal victory over Canada, Lionel Messi assisted his team in reaching this year's Copa América final.
The 37-year-old deflected a Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez shot past Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau six minutes into the second half to double Argentina's lead.
"Let's enjoy what we are experiencing as a national team, as a group. It is not easy to be in a final again, to compete again to be champions," Messi told TyC Sports.
"I'm living it as I have been living everything lately - enjoying it very much and being aware, as it happens to Fideo (Di Maria) and Ota (Nicolas Otamendi), that these are the last battles."
Lionel Scaloni, the manager of Argentina, says he would try to "convince" Messi and Di Maria to stay on the international team.
"For Leo (Messi), it's similar to Angel," said Scaloni.
"We have to let him be and we will never be the ones to close the door. He can be with our team for as long as he wants to be. And if he wants to retire but still come and hang around, it would be great."
Argentina, the 15-time Copa America winners, are making their sixth appearance in the championship game in the previous eight editions.
The final will take place on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Florida's Hard Rock Stadium will pit Argentina against Uruguay or Colombia.
Before the semifinal, Canada's head coach Jesse Marsch told reporters that his team knew Argentina would be tough, but they got off to a strong start against the defending world champion.
Canada performed admirably in the competition this year, even though it did not make it to the final. It also displayed encouraging signals for the 2026 World Cup, which it is co-hosting with the US and Mexico.
Canada will now play on Saturday in the third-place playoff against the loser of the other semifinal.
The semi-final between Uruguay and Colombia will take place on Thursday, July 11 at 01:00 BST, and the Copa America final will be held on Monday, July 15 at 01:00.
