Leo Messi is having a great 2021 Copa America so far. Here are his stats at the tournament, as provided by Barca Buzz on Twitter.
Messi at 2021 Copa America
5 matches
4 goals
3 goals from outside the box
4 assists
15 key passes
19 chances created
25 dribbles completed
4 tackles
17 ball recoveries
Following their win against Ecuador, Argentina have advanced to the Copa America semi-finals where they will face Colombia. The match will be played on July 7 at 3:00 am CEST.
Meanwhile, Messi's contract at Barcelona has officially expired but he is expected to continue at Camp Nou.
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Messi reacts to being one goal away from beating historical Pele record
Following the 3-0 win over Ecuador, Leo Messi opened up on him being close to breaking Pele's impressive record.
"I have always said: the individual awards are secondary, we are here for something else. I want to congratulate the group for the work they have been doing, it has been several days that we are away from our families. We have an objective and we are thinking about it," the Argentine said in the post-match interview, as quoted by Roy Nemer.
The goal against Ecuador became Messi's 76th one for the national side. Thus, Messi is just one goal short of equalling Pele as the South American player with the most goals at the international level. It took Leo 149 matches to reach the landmark.
The Barcelona captain will have the chance to add more goals to his tally on July 6 when Argentina face Colombia in the 2021 Copa America semi-finals.
Messi tricks goalkeeper to score masterful free-kick and seal Argentina's semi-finals spot
He's done it again, Leo Messi has scored another free-kick at the 2021 Copa America. His latest one came in the quarter-finals match against Ecuador, with his strike coming as the last nail in the Tricolors' coffin.
Following a last man's foul on Angel Di Maria, the referee had awarded a penalty but changed his decision after consulting VAR. The foul was just outside the penalty box.
As we know, free-kicks are almost the same as penalties to Messi, and he proved it once again. The shot wasn't an easy one, however, and the Barcelona captain had to fool the goalkeeper in order for the ball to end in the net. Here's what it looked like.
Leo lines up for the free-kick
Perhaps knowing that Messi loves to curve the ball, the Ecuador goalkeeper anticipates a shot to his right so he moves in that direction.
Messi shoots to the keeper's left and there was no time for him to react. Goal!
