He didn’t have his best night, but he lived it as always. Lionel Messi did not show his physical splendor and missed his penalty during the series in which the Argentine National Team eliminated Ecuador in the quarterfinals of the America Cupthanks to a stellar performance by House Martínez -again- by containing two shots. Twelve hours later, number 10 showed his happiness, with a special thank you to his goalkeeper and alluding to one of the historic phrases of him wearing the albiceleste.
“One more step…“, Messi began writing on his Instagram account, making those with the most memories remember the harangue he made in the Maracaná locker roombefore winning the final against Brazil in the 2021 Copa América. “We are one step away from achieving it“, he had scored on that occasion, a while before achieving glory.
Back in 2024, his message after the quarterfinal match also highlights the demands that Ecuador imposed. “We suffered a lot against a tough rival“, wrote.
But then he dedicated himself to surrendering to the feet and hands (as he already did during the World Cup) of Dibu Martínez. “We went to the semis thanks to everyone’s work since on top of that we have the best goalkeeper in the world. Let’s go Argentina!“Wrote a euphoric Messi, attaching images of the team’s celebrations after winning the penalty shootout.
Now, the world champions await their rival: Venezuela and Canada, who will fight for a place in the semifinals, this Friday from 10 p.m.