Lionel Messi will begin his seventh participation in a America Cup this Thursday, when the Argentine national team faces his counterpart from Peru for the first day of Group A.
The “Albiceleste”, captained by Messi, will seek to repeat what was achieved three years ago in Brazil, where they ended a 28-year drought without joy. This title also meant La Pulga’s first with the National Team after four lost finals (Copa América 2007, 2015 and 2016, and the 2014 World Cup).
The story of Lionel Messi in the Copa América
– Venezuela 2007: A young Messi, only 19 years old, arrived as one of Barcelona’s biggest stars in search of his first title with the National Team.
After scoring in the quarterfinals against Peru and in the semis against Mexico (one of his most beautiful goals in the National Team), he could do little in the final against a Brazilian National Team that beat those led by Alfio Basile 3-0 despite not have its top stars.
– Argentina 2011: perhaps one of Messi’s toughest moments in the National Team. The national team arrived with the hope and almost obligation to do well at home after the failure in South Africa a year earlier against Germany (4-0 defeat in the quarterfinals).
But a very poor performance by the team in general led to an early elimination in the quarterfinals against Uruguay, which would end up winning the title.
Messi couldn’t score, although he gave three assists.
– Chile 2015: This time the National Team arrived at a very good moment, after reaching the final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil a year earlier.
In the group stage they advanced as first. In the quarterfinals they had to suffer, but they eliminated Colombia on penalties, while in the semis they crushed Paraguay 6-1.
But in the final, those led by Gerardo Martino fell on penalties to Chile, who lifted their first trophy in front of their people.
Messi, who still had a closed goal in these tournaments, only scored one goal.
– United States 2016: This time the National Team showed impressive dominance from its debut to the final, winning all its matches almost without breaking a sweat.
It seemed that the 23-year drought was finally going to end, but again Chile and penalties stood between the Argentine National Team and glory.
Messi this time had a very good performance during the tournament, in which he scored five goals and gave four assists, but in the final he missed his penalty. Once the decisive match was over, he said he was resigning from the National Team.although months later he backed off and put on the light blue and white again.
– Brazil 2019: For the first time in a long time, the National Team did not arrive as a candidate for the continental event, after a disastrous performance in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Lionel Scaloni’s cycle as coach had just begun and there were still no good results or oiled game .
In the debut, the National Team fell 2-0 against Colombia. Then they tied with Paraguay and beat Qatar to reach the quarterfinals. Against Venezuela, Argentina achieved a good victory that put them among the four best in the tournament.
Finally, in a controversial match, Brazil eliminated those led by Scaloni, who showed great improvement throughout the tournament and ended up taking third place by beating Chile in the last match.
Messi only scored one goal and gave one assist.
– Brazil 2021: the tournament where the legend of the “Scaloneta” began. The Argentine National Team, with Messi more leader than ever, was able to end the 28-year drought without titles and nothing less than defeating Brazil at the Maracaná.
Messi had his best weeks up to that point with the Argentine National Team, where it was so questioned for years. In seven games, he scored four goals and gave five assists.
– United States 2024: It will be the seventh participation of the captain, now world champion, who will go in search of his fourth title with the Senior National Team to make his legend even greater.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
