Messi takes centre stage again as Argentina gets ready for title defence
World champion Argentina gets an expanded Copa America under way on Thursday with Lionel Messi looking to add a second continental title in what is almost certainly his flnal appearance in the tournament.
The 108-year-old competition is being held in the United States with the host nation among six teams from the CONCACAF region joining the 10 South American nations looking for a place in the July 14 flnal in Miami.
Argentina has won the Copa 15 times but only once, in 2021, during the Messi era and coach Lionel Scaloni has stuck largely with his World Cup-winning squad, with veterans Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi likely taking their flnal bow in a major tournament.
What is certain is that Messi, who has managed his workload to try to be in peak condition for the tournament, would relish the chance to win a third straight major tournament with his country after so many years of frustration with his national team.
Brazil has struggled in CONMEBOL qualiflers for the 2026 World Cup having
With Messi turning 37 soon, fans will wonder if this edition is the final one that he turns out in national colours.
won just two of its opening six games and currently sits in sixth place in the standings having lost to Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina.
There are several familiar names missing from Dorival Junior’s Brazil squad with Casemiro, Gabriel Jesus and Thiago Silva left out while Richarlison and Neymar are both missing due to injury.
The pressure will be on the Real Madrid attacking pair of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo to translate their club form into success for the Selecao while there is much excitement around the senior tournament debut of 17-year-old talent Endrick.
Uruguay, also a 15-time
winner, has impressed under its 68-year-old Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa, who has brought his trademark high-energy style to the team and raised expectations with recent wins over Argentina and Brazil.
Colombia head into the tournament without a loss in over two years and with Liverpool’s livewire winger Luis Diaz a constant threat and James Rodriguez enjoying a late career revival.
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