Lionel Messi takes centre stage again for Copa America

ATLANTA – World champions Argentina get an expanded Copa America under way on June 20 (this morning, Singapore time), with Lionel Messi looking to add a second continental title in what is almost certainly his final appearance at 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 sides seeking a place in the July 14 final in Miami.

Defending champions Argentina have 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.

Whether this is Messi’s international swansong remains to be seen. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will turn 37 four days after the opener in Atlanta against Canada and has yet to decide whether he will try to play in a record sixth World Cup in 2026.

“It’s great to have records and continue to achieve things but I won’t take part in a World Cup just to say I’ve done six,” the Argentina captain told ESPN last week.

“If I feel good and everything is in place for me to be there, fine, but I won’t go just to go.

“It’s very difficult to imagine what can happen because it’s still two years away. I don’t need to commit right now to whether or not I’ll be there.”

What is certain is that Messi, who has managed his workload at Inter Miami to try to be in peak condition for the Copa, would relish the chance to win a third straight major tournament with his country after so many years of frustration with the national team.

After facing Canada, Argentina take on Chile in New Jersey before finishing their Group A action against Peru in Miami. But they know that tough opposition awaits in the knockout stages, with rivals Brazil and Uruguay the two expected challengers for the title.

Brazil have struggled in Conmebol qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, having won just two of their opening six games and they currently sit sixth in the standings.

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 Jr and Rodrygo to translate their club form into success for the Selecao, while there is also much excitement around the senior tournament debut of 17-year-old talent Endrick, who is set to join Real from Palmeiras in July.

Uruguay, also 15-time winners, have impressed under their Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa, who has brought his trademark high-energy style to the team and raised expectations with recent wins over Argentina and Brazil.

Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez will lead the line although Bielsa has the option of introducing veteran Luis Suarez from the bench.

Colombia head into the tournament without a loss in over two years and with Liverpool’s Luis Diaz a constant threat and James Rodriguez enjoying a late career revival, Nestor Lorenzo’s team cannot be discounted.

The hosts, meanwhile, will hope that they can generate some sorely needed excitement on home soil after losing their way since a creditable run to the last 16 at the 2022 World Cup. AFP