Argentina's Lionel Messi (center) holds the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Copa America final against Brazil at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 10. Photo: VCG

Finally, fifth time lucky, Lionel Messi was on the winning side of a final for Argentina. It could not really have been any sweeter for the 34-year-old or his countrymen, coming as it did against Brazil at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

That was the same location where Messi and his teammates lost the final of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup to Germany, the closest they have come to the biggest prize in world football since Diego Maradona took the defending world champions to the final of the Italia 90 World Cup.

The final was not vintage football, nor was it vintage Messi. He rarely touched the ball in a game pockmarked with violence. 

His best chance, which came long after Angel di Maria had latched on to a Rodri de Paul through ball and calmly steered the ball over a despairing Ederson in the Brazil goal, saw Messi slip over.

None of that mattered to Messi, whose emotion had been on show throughout the tournament, not least in the semifinal shootout win over Colombia.

"The happiness is immense," the six-time Ballon d'Or winner said after the final whistle. 

Vital force

Messi had been a vital force in the team reaching the final, scoring or assisting in nine of the 11 Argentine goals before they faced Brazil. His national team coach Lionel Scaloni was full of praise.

"If you knew the way that he [Messi] played in the Copa America you'd love him even more," the Argentina boss told the press after the historic win.

Victory ended Argentina's 28-year wait for a tournament win, since the 1993 Copa America.

"You can never do without a player like him, even when he is not fully fit like in this game and the previous one."

"In the end he [Messi] did not throw in the towel and he succeeded," ­Scaloni said. "We are talking about the best footballer of all time and everyone knew how important it was for him to win a title with the national team."

Former teammate Neymar fell to the pitch in tears after the final whistle but he was quick to praise Messi once the emotions had subsided, calling him the "biggest and best in history."

Another former teammate at Barcelona, Andres Iniesta was also full of praise for Messi.

"I think for him, on a personal level, it's a weight off his shoulders. He has finally won something with his national team after being close so many times," he told Diario Sport.

"He was impeccable at the Copa America, beyond the goals and the assists. For me, Messi is still the No.1."

End of long wait

It had been a long wait for Messi to lift a title with his country, aside from the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with the under 23s. This was his sixth Copa America since his first appearance in 2007 when La Albiceleste finished as runners-up.

Twice more they were runners-up in 2015 and 2016, both defeats coming to Chile, before a semifinal defeat in the last tournament in 2019.

As for the World Cup, it has been a similar story of disappointment. In four appearances the closest Argentina went was in Brazil in 2014 when they finished second to Germany. 

There is heartbreak no more, as Messi posted on social media long after the game. 

"The guys left their souls on the pitch and I could not be more proud to be the lucky captain of this spectacular group," he said.

Aside from his teammates, Messi dedicated the win to his family, all Argentines and to Diego Maradona, who died in 2020.

"This is for all of you, and of course also for Diego, who surely supported us from wherever he is," Messi said.

Messi has done what he has done for so long with Barcelona by lifting a trophy with Argentina.

The question now is can they win another? The Qatar 2022 World Cup is a little under 18 months away and Messi will be just 35 when it comes around.

It looks like his stay at Barcelona is close to being extended despite falling out of contract earlier this summer, so with that sorted out why not continue to dream of more glory with Argentina?