Lionel Messi spoke of his relief after ending his trophy drought with Argentina by winning the Copa America 1-0 against Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.
Messi, 34, had previously tasted defeat in three Copa finals & one World Cup final with Argentina, with his critics, at home & abroad, often questioning his ability to lead his country to silverware .
However, in the fifth time of the asking, Messi eventually won a major final with Argentina as Angel Di Maria's 22nd-minute goal in the Maracana ended Albiceleste's 28-year wait for the trophy.
"I was close at times," Messi told reporters after the match. "I knew it would happen eventually. I am grateful to God for giving me this moment against Brazil in Brazil. I think he was saving this moment for me.
"I still don't think we know what we've done other than to be champions. Now we're really happy, celebrating, but it's a game for the history books, beating Brazil in the final in Brazil." .
"It's crazy. I can't describe how happy I feel. I'm sad at times [after the tournament with Argentina] but I knew it would happen & there was no better moment. This team deserved it "
Messi was named Player of the Tournament in the Copa América & shared the Golden Boot of the competition with Luis Diaz of Colombia. Both players scored four goals. Messi also made five assists.
Throughout, the Argentine players ran towards Messi & threw him in the air for his role in the final.
Messi, who is a free agent after his Barcelona contract expires on June 30, shared an intimate moment with Brazil's Neymar & Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni full-time, which he later paid tribute to.
"It's because of [Scaloni's] ability to do what he has done & what he has created," the forward said. “The process with him started three years ago & it continues to grow. He knew how to make a great group, a winning group. He deserves recognition. Argentina were the champions of South America, & we did it again under him. won."
Messi has won everything in club games with Barcelona & has been voted the best player in the world on six occasions. However, success with Argentina had always kept him away.
He won the Under-20 World Cup & an Olympic gold medal with U23, but tasted defeat in the 2007, 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals & was on the losing side against Germany in the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil.
Messi, who broke Javier Mascherano's attendance record for Argentina during the tournament with 151 caps, now wants Argentina to pick up his form at next year's World Cup in Qatar, when he turns 35.
"When you win, you have to take advantage of that momentum. "It's easy when the results come with you. We should take advantage of this [win] & this selection of players.
"I told them they are the national team of the future, & I was not wrong. They proved it by winning this Copa. We've been working together for a while now. It's a good group of people. I'm glad this group Be a part of."
After a long season, Messi will have some time with his future unresolved at club level. Barca president Joan Laporta has said Messi would like to sign a new deal, but the club's financial problems are looming over a possible new deal with La Liga.