G.O.A.T debate erupts on Twitter as Lionel Messi ends trophy drought with Copa America win

Rio de Janeiro: Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 to win its first Copa America title since 1993 at the iconic Marcana Stadium here.

Ángel Di Maria scored the only goal of the final in 22nd minute. It was Argentina's 15th Copa America title.

It is also Argentina captain Lionel Messi's first major tournament win with his national side. It was the same stadium where Messi-led Argentina was defeated by Germany in 2014 World Cup Final.

As soon as Argentina won the trophy, the G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time) debate sparked on Twitter.

THERE ARE NO MORE ARGUMENTS AGAINST LIONEL MESSI’S GOAT CLAIM.

THE GOAT DEBATE IS OVER. pic.twitter.com/HkjSnv3ECM

— MC (@CrewsMat19) July 11, 2021

This smile. These tears. It means a lot. #Messi #GOAT pic.twitter.com/PRqw7afLXB

— ?????? (@BeingPrateek1) July 11, 2021

Lionel Messi has finally won an international trophy with Argentina.

The GOAT debate is over. ???????? pic.twitter.com/xk1KzEy1bw

— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) July 11, 2021

Lionel Messi. The greatest there is. The greatest there was. The greatest there ever will be. Set in stone. Football no longer owes you anything. ???? pic.twitter.com/viwJ6L7ZbH

— Mod (@CFCMod_) July 11, 2021

Most of the time it was Messi carrying his team mates but this time around his teammates carried him #Messi #Goat #CopaAmericaFINAL pic.twitter.com/BRqZHmJPyW

— (@aqqu___) July 11, 2021

The Copa America football matches were postponed last year because of the pandemic. The tournament was initially set to take place in Argentina and Colombia. However, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) denied Colombia the privilege of organizing the competition due to nationwide protests. Later, Argentina was also ruled out because of the coronavirus situation there.

In June, requests were made by several groups to block the competition from being held in Brazil over COVID-19 risks. Nonetheless, Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled that the 2021 Copa America football tournament would go on as planned. The tournament was played in the Brazilian states of Rio de Janeiro, Goias, Mato Grosso, as well as the Federal District. (UNI inputs)