Messi thanks Maradona after Argentina’s Copa America triumph

Lionel Messi

was named the player of the Copa America, meeting the back of the net four times and providing five assists.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s future is up in the air as he hit free agency when his contract with

expired. The Blaugrana are trying to earn funds to offer him an extension while reducing the salary cap as requested by La Liga.

Messi’s concentration was on his country at the Copa America and he posted a letter on Instagram, according to

, to express his feelings regarding their victory and to thank

Diego Maradona

.

“

It was an incredible Copa,”

he wrote.

“We know that we can still improve many things, but the truth is that the kids gave their souls and I couldn’t be more proud to be the captain of this spectacular group.

“I want to dedicate this success to my family, who always gave me the strength to keep going, to my friends that I love so much, to all the people who backed us and especially the 45 million Argentines who’ve had such a bad time with this s*** of a virus, especially those that were touched by it more closely. It’s for all of you. And, of course, thanks to Diego, who backed us from wherever he is.”

went into the Copa America this summer with a 1-1 draw with Chile, before defeating Uruguay 1-0 and Paraguay 1-0.

They ended the group stage with a thumping 4-1 victory over Bolivia, before beating Ecuador 3-0 in the quarter-finals. They won the battle against Colombia in a penalty shoot-out, after their 1-1 draw in the semi-finals.

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