MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. —  Lionel Messi could only look on from the Argentine bench, his eyes glazed and face flush red after a tearful exit due to a right ankle injury in the Copa America final. 

At least, Messi got to celebrate happily. He used his left leg as his teammates jumped together after Lautaro Martinez’s goal in the 112th minute helped Argentina defeated Colombia for its second straight Copa America title. Messi even waved to his longtime Argentine teammates Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otemendi to help him hoist the Copa America trophy.

"Leo is the greatest player in history. He never wants to leave the pitch," Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni said glowingly of his best player. 

"He has a swollen ankle and wants to keep playing. His teammates see that. He wants to play because he’s not egotistic or selfish. He wants to play because he doesn’t want to leave his teammates on the pitch when he’s in the condition.

"Everyone should follow his example. … He was born to be on the pitch," Scaloni added.

Still, this was not how Messi’s Copa America was supposed to end. 

Those were not supposed to be the last images of him during his final Copa America, tears flowing and his right foot swollen after being iced and bandaged on the sidelines. 

This somber feeling Messi fans might have for him surely doesn’t inspire much hope for his potential to play in World Cup 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico in two summers. 

Messi spoke about enjoying the moments in the moments during this Copa America run. Argentina won its third major tournament title in three years. But he suffered more injuries (two) than he scored goals (one) during this tournament. 

Messi’s injury also has put the rest of Inter Miami’s season in potential peril, depending on the diagnosis.

Messi tried to play through a right ankle injury, and appeared to suffer a worse one. He immediately signaled for medical attention after he fell to the pitch, substituted in the 64th minute after he fell over while running around midfield. 

Messi got up. His right cleat was already removed. The captain band was taken off his left arm. He limped slowly toward the sidelined. Then, the tears started the pour down Messi’s face, as he tried to cover his eyes with his hands. 

So, what’s next for Messi after the Copa America final? 

Messi’s return to action won’t be anytime soon. It’s unclear what Messi’s health status is immediately after the match, but his swollen ankle will need considerable time to heal. 

Messi, the Inter Miami star in Major League Soccer, might not have played in two club games this week immediately after Copa America. But it feels like a definite no after his injury. 

The MLS All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio, on July 24? Sorry, commissioner Don Garber. Messi might be missing in action. 

Helping Inter Miami defend its Leagues Cup title when the tournament begins on July 27? It isn’t looking good. Maybe, the club opts to give Messi as much time he needs and relies on its other players to defend the title. 

The bright side for the rest of this year: Messi could return after a gradual recovery. There’s no need to rush his return. Inter Miami is second in the MLS Eastern Conference, and nine teams will reach the playoffs. There’s some wiggle room there for September to the end of the year.

Those are all concerns for Messi’s immediate future. 

What fans really want to know is: Will Messi play in the next World Cup? 

Messi did finish the Qatar World Cup in 2022, saying it would be his last. 

But Messi did leave the door open for 2026 – if he’s healthy and up to the challenge. 

The problem is his outlook looks bleak after this Copa America run. 

Messi’s career is closer to the end than his prime, a sad reality he began to realize after his World Cup win.

But it’s a reality soccer fans around the world have come to realize after his Copa America injury exit.