This Copa America has completed Argentina’s journey as serial trophy collectors after decades of trophyless spells. However, this Copa also slapped hard on Argentina fans with a brutal reality check that Lionel Messi‘s fitness is deteriorating. Having scored only once in six matches, Messi time and again flirted with injuries and even left the pitch crying with a swollen ankle in the final against Colombia. The Copa, notably, was Messi’s pal Angel Di Maria’s swan song. USMNT legend Alexi Lalas thinks the Inter Miami skipper should also have gone the same route as Di Maria.

Spain’s Euro win and Argentina’s Copa win were the talking points in the latest episode of Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union podcast. Speaking of the latter, Lalas gave his two cents on Lionel Messi’s Copa stint. “This tournament might have been an indicator that physically, he[Messi] can’t handle the grind of club and country anymore,” said Lalas’ co-host. “If and when he becomes a burden to this team. I don’t think he is. But if and when he does, like kind of Cristiano has… I think that would be problematic,” said Lalas. He added, “Who would have thought with Di Maria saying this was it. If Messi felt the same way, it would be kind of logical for both of them to do it.”

Anyhow, the US soccer analysts also pointed out that they think Messi might stay with Argentina to partake in the US-hosted 2026 FIFA World Cup. Only time will tell how Messi will battle his recurring injury woes and last till the WC.

Since Lalas brought Cristiano Ronaldo to the conversation, let’s trace a stark parallel between him and Messi in a major tournament’s final. Let’s also explore how differently their national teams treat them.

Among Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the former was the first one to lift an international trophy when Portugal won the UEFA Euro in 2016. Then, Ronaldo, however, left the pitch early after sustaining a knee injury off Dimitri Payet’s abrasive tackle. CR7 coached his teammates from the sidelines and watched Eder score the winning goal. Likewise, Leo Messi left the field prematurely during the Copa final against Colombia with his swollen ankle. He cried on the bench and later shed tears of joy, as Lautaro Martinez’s late strike led La Albiceleste to their second straight Copa title.

While this resemblance stands, the two get starkly different treatment from their teammates. Like Alexi Lalas said, many Portugal stars are arguably seeing Ronaldo as a burden. They rarely passed him the ball, despite him being unmarked in dangerous positions. Besides, we have seen the 39-year-old being stepped over as Portugal’s free-kick taker. Argentina players, on the other hand, gather around Leo Messi like a warm cocoon. But for how long will their support carry a beaten and bruised Messi? Let’s hope he gets better and dances his last in the 2026 World Cup.