Former Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has shared a memory of one of the most difficult moments of Lionel Messi's career.
As reported by İdman.Biz, the former Chile international revealed that he saw Messi sitting completely alone on the bench after the 2016 Copa America final.
Argentina faced Chile in the final, with neither team scoring in regulation or extra time. Chile eventually won the penalty shootout, while Messi missed one of Argentina's penalties. Following the defeat, Messi announced his decision to retire from international football.
Bravo recalled the moment:
"After the final, we were celebrating the victory. Suddenly, I saw him on the bench. He was completely alone. We are talking about the greatest footballer in the history of the sport."
According to Bravo, the scene showed him two very different sides of football.
"When you succeed, you see how many people are around you. When you lose, you understand the negative side of football and how it treats its idols," he said.
Bravo also reflected on the years he spent alongside Messi at Barcelona, describing the Argentine as an extremely humble person away from the pitch.
According to the former goalkeeper, despite his fame and status in world football, Messi never behaved as though he was superior to those around him.
Bravo played alongside Messi at Barcelona from 2014 to 2016. The Chilean goalkeeper faced Argentina in the Copa America finals in both 2015 and 2016, with Chile lifting the trophy on both occasions.
