Elvio Paolorosso, who was Argentina’s strength coach during Copa America 2016 revealed one of the saddest phases of Lionel Messi’s career.
Lionel Messi and Argentina lost two Copa America final in two years.
After losing the Copa America 2015 final against Chile, Argentina again qualified for the final in the Copa America 2016 and the opponent was still the same and so was the result. After back-to-back heartbreaks, Messi couldn’t hold his emotions any more and burst into tears.
Elvio said he saw Argentina’s captain in the dressing room crying alone without any control over himself. Elvio told Jogo Bonito,
“The scene in the dressing room after that Copa America was very painful. But the worst came afterwards. Around two in the morning, more or less, I found Leo in front of his locker alone, completely alone, crying like a baby who had lost his mother. He was hunched over there, and no one could console him. So I just put my arm around him, and the two of us cried together.”
Despite being criticised by many in his country, Elvio feels Messi is one of the most professional players he has ever worked alongside. He is also one of those players who always tries to help his team-mates and even the coaching staff.
“I worked with Messi in Barcelona and in Argentina, and I only have words of thanks and praise. He always worked really well with us; he would even notice whether the pitch was wet or dry.”
Meanwhile, after a disappointing World in Russia, Messi is yet to rejoin the national team. He is unlikely to make a comeback this year. While Argentina played two friends this September against Guatemala and Colombia, respectively.