This Thursday, June 20th, the 2024 Copa América in the United States will officially begin, and the opening match will be an exciting clash between the reigning World and America’s Cup champions, Argentina, and the Canadian national team.
In the preview of this clash that will start the continental tournament, the captain of the Argentine national team, Lionel Messi, spoke in a press conference about the match against Canada, about Argentina’s candidacy, about the national teams he considers a threat, about his friend Neymar and the Seleção, whom he considered a firm candidate: “They are candidates and want to win the Copa (América),” he assured.
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Lionel Messi and Argentina’s chances: “We are the best”
When speaking from the status of the reigning champion of the Copa América and the World Cup, Lionel Messi was cautious in considering his own team as the clear favorites to win this tournament:
“Today we can say that we are the best because we are World Champions, but that does not make us believe that we are going to win this Copa América easily.”
The star of Inter Miami reviewed the national teams that he believes could complicate things for Argentina in this tournament, mainly highlighting countries like Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador, or Brazil:
“It’s going to be very even, all the teams are complicated. Ecuador has a very good generation of young players who know what they want. They are intense with the ball, they are clear about what they do, and they are physically strong. Like them, there is also Colombia, Uruguay, not to mention Brazil. That’s why I say it will be balanced and our team is aware that we will have to continue doing the same and more to win again,” he affirmed.
Messi remembered his friend Neymar and put Brazil as a candidate
Regarding Brazil and his great friend and former teammate at FC Barcelona and PSG, Neymar Jr., Messi did not hide his disappointment at not seeing him in the Copa América, but assured that Brazil will be a tough nut to crack with or without Neymar:
“The absence of Neymar is a shame, but they have a million players. Brazil always has many players because they are always different. They have a very strong and very competitive team. Brazil is like Argentina: they are candidates and want to win the Copa América.”
Argentina faced Brazil in the 2021 Copa América final, in a match in which Neymar was the Seleção’s main offensive weapon. However, thanks to a lone goal from Ángel di María, Argentina broke their title drought and immortalized themselves at the Maracanã.
