Lionel Messi won his first Copa América title with Argentina in 2021. Argentina defeated Brazil 1–0 in the final at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium.
The decisive goal came from Ángel Di María, who controlled a long pass from Rodrigo De Paul before lifting the ball over Brazil goalkeeper Ederson. Messi did not score in the final, but he played the entire match and helped Argentina secure its first senior men’s international title in 28 years.
The victory was especially meaningful because Messi had previously lost three Copa América finals with Argentina, in 2007, 2015 and 2016. The 2021 triumph ended Argentina’s long wait for a major trophy and became the first senior international title of Messi’s career.
Messi was one of the tournament’s standout players: he scored four goals, supplied five assists and was named the competition’s best player. Argentina’s victory also gave the country its 15th Copa América title, tying Uruguay for the most in the tournament’s history at that time.