Argentina's Copa América success marred by post-match controversy
After the 2024 Copa América final, the scandalous chant directed at the French was discussed as loudly, if not more, than Argentina's success. As it turned out, Lionel Messi wanted to prevent the controversy.
Argentina won its third consecutive football tournament. Albicelestes defended its trophy in Copa América, and between these events, it triumphed in the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Lionel Scaloni's team defeated Colombia 1-0 in the final, thanks to Lautaro Martinez's goal in extra time.
After the final, a recording featuring Enzo Fernández went viral online. One of the Argentinians lost his composure and started insulting the French with a vulgar chant. Enzo Fernández, among other team members, could count on accompaniment, but it was he who faced criticism for the chant with racist elements.
Lionel Messi wanted to prevent such scandals. One of his loyal comrades, Rodrigo De Paul, revealed in an interview with the programme OLGA that the multiple Ballon d'Or winner made a statement in the locker room after the victory over Colombia.
When the final ended, Messi came and the first thing he said was, ‘nobody taunts anyone, let’s celebrate and enjoy our victory, recalls Rodrigo De Paul.
They always find something against the winner. Whether it’s that we got help, or that we taunt others, or that it’s not such a good team, or that South America is less developed than Europe, we didn’t see any fuss about that when they say those things about us. All these things are said to discredit what we’ve achieved, defends Rodrigo De Paul.
The scandal casts a shadow on the success of the Argentine national team, which will also play in the 2026 World Cup with Lionel Messi. The world football star will participate in the World Cup for the last time.
