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Sport

05th Jul 2015

Ball-boy comforts Messi after Copa America defeat (Vine)

JOE

After losing two international finals in two years, Lionel Messi could be forgiven for needing an arm round the shoulder.

The Barcelona player was the only Argentinian to score in their penalty shoot-out defeat to Chile, so it was good to see that at least one person on the other side of the international divide was able to appreciate his efforts.

We’re used to seeing children being consoled by adults after a sporting disappointment, so this Chilean ball-boy reaching out to a distraught footballer was a refreshing change.

Some have suggested the ball-boy was just taking a selfie with the player, but we want to believe it was a moment of genuine compassion.