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Lionel Messi said he now has 'peace of mind' after winning the Copa America with Argentina over the summer.

Despite a legendary club career, Messi went into the summer having not won a major international tournament after previously suffering three consecutive defeats at the final hurdle. 

Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil before suffering penalty shootout defeats to Chile at both the 2015 and 2016 Copa America tournaments.

But his international curse was finally put to bed when Angel Di Maria's goal sealed a 1-0 victory over Brazil in the summer, meaning Argentina lifted the Copa America trophy for the first time in 28 years.  

Messi told ESPN over the recent international break: 'I have peace of mind of having achieved the dream that has been denied to me so many times.

'It was like a dream, a spectacular moment. I couldn't believe it had happened. I enjoy watching the images now more than at the time as I was in a daze. I didn't quite understand what was happening.'