Argentina star Alejandro "Papu" Gomez has opened up about how Lionel Messi left him in tears ahead of the 2021 Copa America final.
After many years of failed attempts, and losing three Copa America finals, Messi finally got his hands on a major international trophy with the Albiceleste in July after they beat Brazil 1-0 in the Copa decider.
Scroll through the gallery above to see Argentina celebrating their Copa America triumph
Sevilla and Argentina playmaker Gomez has now revealed that he was so moved during Messi's heartfelt speech ahead of that final that he found himself crying.
"[Messi] began to speak before the final and the truth is that I don't remember the exact words because in no time I was crying," Gomez said in an interview with Argentine newspaper La Nacion.
"He spoke about effort, about family... tears were falling down my cheeks like a baby.
"Leo is the most normal and simple of us all, I can assure you that he's the guy and teammate that everyone has the most in common with.
"But he carries the surname Messi, and many think that he'll act differently.
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"He's an absolute leader, a captain in every sense, because he shows it, he leads by example.
"They always want to compare him to Diego [Maradona], they want him to shout and fight; Leo isn't like that, but if he has to do that behind closed doors, he does it.
"What happens is that Leo isn't going to ever bring it to light and he doesn't talk for the sake of it, when he has to get angry or tell you something, he'll tell you it and it stays within those four walls."
Scroll through the gallery below to see the 10 players with the most trophies since 2000, including Messi
