Lionel Messi has stated that “football wasn’t fair” to Argentina following their third-place finish at Copa America.
The Barcelona forward was at the centre of controversy as Argentina beat Chile 2-1 in the third-place play-off game, receiving a red card alongside Gary Medel after the pair clashed on the pitch after 36 minutes.
Messi’s team-mates provided the goods despite his dismissal as Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala’s efforts proved enough to secure third place, despite Arturo Vidal’s goal from the penalty spot on 59 minutes.
In an Instagram story published after the final whistle, Messi said: “We are leaving this Copa with a win but above all with our heads held high and the feeling that this time football wasn’t fair with us.
“Because of how we played and because we were better than Brazil, we deserved to be in the final tomorrow.
“But we have to look ahead with optimism because there is a future here and a great base in this national team and we just have to give it time.”