After winning the Copa America for the first time in 25 years in 2021, Argentina enters this summer's tournament as World Cup holders, looking to make it three straight major championships.
The Albiceleste entered the 2021 Copa America hoping to capture the South American championship for the first time in nearly three decades and help ensure that Lionel Messi’s illustrious career didn’t end without any international honours. Flash-forward to three summers later and not only does Argentina head into the 2024 Copa America as the defending champions, they’re also the World Cup holders, having won world football’s greatest prize in Qatar in 2022.
The Premier League will be well-represented in the midfield with a trio of England-based players in Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea and Spurs’ Giovanni Lo Celso, who returns to the fold after missing the World Cup through injury. They’re joined by Leandro Paredes of Juventus, Guido Rodriguez of Betis, Atleti’s Rodrigo De Paul and Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios, who is coming off of an undefeated season with the Bundesliga champions.
In the afterglow of the triumph in Qatar in December of 2022, Messi stated that he was done with the World Cup. Qatar was the last time he would suit up at international football’s premier competition…but there was a caveat he threw in there that didn’t get reported as much as the declaration of impending international retirement.
The other reason why it’s not a great idea to heed Messi’s pronouncements about his international future is because they tend to be made in the heat of the moment. Messi’s retirement would last for exactly 47 days as he rejoined the Albiceleste in time for August World Cup qualifiers.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Soccer-Copa America to feature its first female refereesExplore stories from Atlantic Canada.
Read more »
CF Montreal prepares for ‘Messi Mania’ as Inter Miami visits CanadaWidely regarded as the greatest footballer ever, Lionel Messi will make his first professional trip to Canada on Saturday as Montreal plays host to Messi’s Inter Miami CF at Stade Saputo
Read more »
Messi has a record-setting game with a goal and 5 assists in Inter Miami's 6-2 win over Red BullsFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi had a record setting night for Inter Miami.
Read more »
Messi has a record-setting game with a goal and 5 assists in Inter Miami's 6-2 win over Red BullsFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi had a record setting night for Inter Miami.
Read more »
Messi has a record-setting game with a goal and 5 assists in Inter Miami's 6-2 win over Red BullsFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi had a record setting night for Inter Miami.
Read more »
Inter Miami erases 2-goal deficit to beat Montreal as Messi arrives in CanadaLionel Messi started showing off his talent late in the second half against Montreal.
Read more »