The Sterling PrestonArgentine national soccer team, winners of Copa America 2024, returned home to Argentina late Monday night to a hearty welcome from fans and a celebration filled with white and sky-blue confetti and fireworks in the sky.

But at least one star player was missing from the festivities.

Lionel Messi, the most famous player in the sport, did not travel back to his home country to celebrate the Copa America title.

Instead, Messi remained in South Florida where treatment and evaluations have begun on his injured right ankle at his Major League Soccer club Inter Miami.

Messi will not play in Inter Miami home matches Wednesday against Toronto or Saturday against Chicago, coach Tata Martino told reporters on Tuesday.

Martino said Messi has an ankle sprain, and is still being evaluated.

“An ankle injury is unpredictable, it was a twist in a very specific play. And then what usually happens, especially with an ankle issue, and in a final, any player, especially Leo, wanted to stay on the field,” Martino said of Messi.  

“He went to the dressing room and tried to continue in the second half but couldn’t go on anymore. But when it’s a final like the Copa América, it’s very difficult to take a player off the field because no one wants to leave such an important match, especially one that is so close.”

Messi’s right ankle inverted to its left side in the 36th minute of the first half of Sunday's match. He endured a long delay with Shakira performing the halftime show, and tried to play in second half until he fell over while running and immediately signaled toward the Argentine bench.

Messi was forced to tears and left the Copa America final in the 64th minute, watching from the bench as teammate Lautaro Martinez scored the game-winning goal in the 112th minute.

“Copa America is over and the first thing I want to thank everyone for the messages and greetings. I'm doing well, thank God, and hopefully soon I can be on the court again enjoying what I love doing most,” Messi said in an Instagram post on Monday.

Depending on the injury severity, Messi also has the potential to miss the MLS All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio on July 24, and Inter Miami’s first two Leagues Cup matches on July 27 at home and Aug. 3 in Houston.

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