Lionel Messi plays on in Argentina win with BLOOD seeping through sock as fans joke 'he's human after all'

LIONEL MESSI played on with blood seeping through his sock last night, after being hacked down by Colombia's Frank Fabra.

The Argentine superstar was playing for his country in the Copa America semi-finals, when substitute Fabra decided to hack him down.

Fabra, who plays in Argentina for Boca Juniors, was booked for his challenge on Messi in the 55th minute.

But rather than go off, bloodied Messi stayed on to help his side reach the final.

The 34-year-old helped his team get off to the perfect start, when he got on the end of Giovani Lo Celso's through ball before setting up Lautaro Martinez to score after just seven minutes.

Colombia hit back in the second half, however, and equalised through Luis Diaz with 61 minutes on the clock.

The semi-final meandered into a penalty shoot-out, with Messi among those to step up and beat David Ospina from 12 yards.

And after Emi Martinez saved from Davinson Sanchez and Yerry Mina, Messi and Co squeezed into the weekend's final against Brazil.

Fans online were once again in awe of Messi for playing on with his bloodied ankle.

One wrote: "Apparently Leo Messi may be human after all…."

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While another added: "Playing the whole match like this… If this doesn't show messi love for argentina and football, I dont know what else would…"

A third joked: "CONMEBOL football is basically UFC, but on a football pitch. Columbia drawing some blood from Messi."

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner, who is currently a free agent after his Barcelona contract expired, is hoping to finally get his hands on some silverware with Argentina, after a series of near misses and heartaches.

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