Messi’s Response in the Mixed Zone to the Opportunistic Goal: I Told Enzo It Wasn’t Intentional, Just to Beat the Keeper

After Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Canada, securing their place in the Copa America final, Messi addressed the issue of his “opportunistic goal” in the post-match mixed zone interview with TYC Sports, stating that he did not intend to steal Enzo’s glory but rather aimed to avoid the risk of the goalkeeper saving the ball.

In the 51st minute of the match, Messi initiated an attack from the right flank. An Argentine pass was blocked, and Enzo took a low shot from near the edge of the penalty area. Messi touched the ball just before it crossed the line, causing it to change direction slightly and find the back of the net. This was labeled by some fans as “stealing a goal,” or “taking advantage of a loose ball.” Messi’s touch also sparked debate about whether he was offside. After a lengthy wait, VAR reviewed the play and confirmed the goal, although on social media platforms both domestically and internationally, many people believed there was a potential offside issue.

In the post-match mixed zone, Messi stated, “I told Enzo that I wasn’t trying to take his goal, I just saw the goalkeeper lying down and the ball coming slowly, so I made it deflect slightly.”

Would the goalkeeper have saved the ball if Messi hadn’t touched it? Interestingly, during his own mixed zone interview, Enzo showed no displeasure at the goal not being credited to him, instead suggesting that without Messi’s touch, the ball might not have gone in: “Thank goodness Messi deflected the ball, sending it into the net!”

This goal marked Messi’s scoring in six consecutive Copa America tournaments, making him the first player since Brazilian Jairzinho in the 1940s and 1950s to achieve this feat in 67 years.