Copa America 2015: Lionel Messi family 'attacked' in the stands as Argentina are beaten by Chile in the final

Incident happened during hostile final in Chile

Beaten finalist Lionel Messi walks past the Copa America trophy (GETTY IMAGES)

Lionel Messi's family were attacked in the stands as they watched Argentina lose on penalties to hosts Chile in the Copa America final last night, according to reports.

Reports say that his brother Rodrigo was hit by an object thrown by a fan in the crowd in Santiago's Estadio Nacional just as the first-half ended.

Messi's parents and two of his brothers, including Rodrigo, then had to be moved to safety, such was the hostile environement.

Fellow Argentina ace Sergio Aguero's family were also allegedly abused by some Chilean supporters during the match.

The final ended 0-0 after extra time, Chile won 4-1 on penalties with Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez scoring the deciding spot-kick.

Chile lifted the Copa America with a 4-1 penalty shootout win against Argentina (Getty)

The four-time world player of the year Messi scored his team's lone goal in the penalty shootout, but had a lackluster performance in regulation and extra time, failing to spark his teammates to victory.

Saturday's disappointment comes less than a year since he also failed to lead Argentina to victory in the World Cup final.

Argentina are without a major trophy in the last 22 years since winning the 1993 Copa America in Ecuador.