“We have one heart bro, how many times will you win it” – Fans melt over Lionel Messi’s honest admission after deflecting Enzo Fernandez’ pass in Copa America semifinal

Team Argentina are in the Copa America Finals, again.

Lionel Messi gets candid on Goal from Enzo Fernandez pass

Lionel Messi and Co. have punched their tickets to the Copa America 2024 finals in Miami. The Argentine captain scored his first goal of the tournament in their 2-0 semifinal victory over Canada on Wednesday.

Julian Alvarez broke the deadlock at the 22nd minute off Rodrigo De Paul’s ‘splitting Canada in half’ pass. The Argentine youngster took a couple of controlled touches before slipping the ball between Maxime Crépeau’s legs which now takes his international knockout goals to four in just seven KO appearances. (you’ve spent enough time on FT to know what we’re getting at, right?)

The second goal, which originally came from an Enzo Fernandez’ shot directed at the Canadian net, fell Lionel Messi’s way, who deftly slotted the ball home. However, the Argentine captain made a quick honest admission right after the game that he had not intended to score it himself in the first place.

"I told Enzo that it wasn't my intention to take the goal away from him,” Messi said. “I saw that the goalkeeper had just fallen and the ball was coming slowly. I deflected it a little because the goalkeeper almost saved it away from me too.”

"The important thing is that it counted, and we were able to make it 2-0, which gave us peace of mind,” the Argentine captain added.

Also Read: Team Argentina RIZZ in Italian luxury fashion label Palm Angels during Copa America 2024

Fans hail Lionel Messi's integrity

Fans were absolutely moved by Messi’s downright honesty. They flooded social media with admiration and support for the all-time great's modesty and integrity.

“We have one heart bro, how many times will you win it,” wrote one fan.

“Great but Humble. It can only be Lionel Messi,” quipped another.

“This man is so damn humble...an explanation wasn't even needed. I'm sure Enzo Fernandez wouldn't have minded it also...but Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini just being him...didn't want Enzo to feel upset and dejected...what a Human Being!!!💜😇” commented another user.

Some even took subtle digs at Portuguese superstar and Lionel Messi’s former rival (former since 2019 at least, no?), Cristiano Ronaldo.

One fan summed it all up, “An honest and humble man. He shouldn’t have explained or something but he just had to and it’s all love! What a man!”

And yes, if you’re interested to know who got Messi's jersey–Canada’s Derek Cornelius was the lucky man!

There’s a bit of story to that too.

Messi “Man of the Match and Man of his word”

After the final whistle, Canada MNT’s Ali Ahmed came asking for the Argentine captain’s shirt. Messi has time and again gone out his way to make sure players who request his jersey do get one. However, on this particular occasion Messi was seen denying the Vancouver Whitecaps LB (Yep, you’ve seen him in the MLS) his shirt.

TSN posted a clip on their official X account post-game with the caption, “Messi keeps his promises 🤝”

And how is that? Well, it appears Lionel Messi had already promised his jersey to Derek Cornelius and was indeed seen swapping shirts with the Canadian center back.

Better luck next time, Ali. Perhaps in Vancouver.

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