Lionel Messi and Argentina hope to continue their reign as soccer’s world champions during Copa América 2024.
Messi and Argentina take center stage in the Copa América 2024 opener, facing Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday night.
Messi, the star of Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, turns 37 on June 24. He’s still among the best players in the world, despite nearing the end of his illustrious career. And his participation in Copa América is a critical moment for the sport in the United States, which will host the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 and World Cup 2026.
At least two exciting chances by both teams, but the first half of the 2024 Copa America opener was a scoreless affair by Argentina and Canada. Argentine stars Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria had chances in the first 20 minutes: Messi missed a shot wide right, and Di Maria missed a chip shot blocked by the goalie.
Canada’s Tajon Buchanan and Stephen Eustáquio missed chances, but captain Alphonso Davies has pushed the pace well in the country’s first Copa America game – coming against the defending Copa and World Cup champions.
Canada's knocking on the door but Argentina isn't answering. Argentina’s goalie Dibu Martinez saved a header from Canada’s Stephen Eustáquio in the 44th minute. Jonathan David's shot attempt right after sailed just above the goal.
Canada's young star has powered multiple attacks in the first half in the Copa America opener.
The Canadian goalkeeper sprinted outside of the box to clear an attack by Argentina in the 38th minute.
One of Canada's best chances came with a sprinting Alphonso Davies firing a pass toward Tajon Buchanan in the box. Interference changed the angle of the ball and Buchanan's shot ends up wide of the goal.
Canada's young star drew a foul - the fourth on Argentina in the first 20 minutes - to stop Argentina as it was regrouping for an attack near midfield.
Messi’s second shot in this game inside the box was blocked by Canada’s Derek Cornelius in the 17th minute.It’s been a bit of a rough start for the Argentinians with Canada’s persistence in the opening 20 minutes.
So close, Messi. So close.
Still, the crowd in Mercedes-Benz Stadium chants his name. Maybe, the encouragement will help.
Messi was offsides, but he nearly had another Messi moment just before the 10th minute, missing a shot from his legendary left boot past the far right post.
Messi has started 35 Copa America games, setting a new record in the tournament’s history in Thursday’s opener against Canada.
Canada survived with a great save in the box from keeper Maxime Crépeau. Angel Di Maria had a straight away run toward the net after a steal, and tried to do a bicycle kick, but both chances were to no avail.
Messi appeared to take some contact as two Canadian players converged next to him on his first touch of the game. Messi did fall to the pitch, but got up. Although he flexed his legendary left leg, Messi is okay and resumed play.
Some Thoughts before kickoff, to say it’s 90 percent of Argentina fans might be an understatement. Maybe at least 95 percent? It’s an overwhelming difference in crowd support for Lionel Messi and the world champions.
It’ll be a monumental challenge for Canada, playing in its first Copa America appearance, but the atmosphere in Mercedes-Benz Stadium is electric.
Argentina and Canada will kickoff at 8 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. in Argentina.
Argentina vs. Canada will broadcast on FS1 and FS2 (in English) or TUDN and Univision (in Spanish).
WATCH:Messi, Argentina in action during Copa America on Fubo
Yes. Messi is expected to start and play in Argentina’s Copa América run this summer, beginning with the Canada match.
Argentina is the heavy favorite to win the Copa América opener in Atlanta, per odds from BetMGM.
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“Ar-gen-tin-a! Ar-gen-tin-a!” fans of the World Cup champions said in unison, anxiously waiting for beloved soccer star Messi to step off the team’s bus parked in front of The Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta on Wednesday night.
Read more about Argentina’s fans before Thursday’s match.
Messi remains the face of Argentina’s national team. He’ll be the star attraction in Copa América. And he’s open to playing in the next World Cup in 2026 — if his body holds up.
“It depends on how I feel, how I am physically and being realistic with myself. And to know if I am up to the task of being able to compete and help the colleagues next to me,” Messi said. “There's a while left and I don't know how I'm going to be at that moment.”
“I’ve done this all of my life. I love playing ball. I enjoy the training, the day to day, the games. Yeah, there’s a bit of fear that it’s all ending. It’s always there,” Messi told ESPN Argentina.
“It was a difficult step leaving Europe to come [to the United States] The fact we won the World Cup helped. It helped a lot, to see things in another way. But I try not to think about [retiring]. I try to enjoy it. I do that more now because I’m aware that there’s not a lot of time left.”
Tickets for Copa America games are being sold through the various venues' preferred partners, like StubHub or SeatGeek. For example, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, sells tickets on SeatGeek with prices for Sunday's game between the U.S. and Bolivia starting at $44.
The lowest prices for tickets for each game typically run between $40 and $60 at time of publishing, with one exception: Argentina. The best player in the tournament is superstar Lionel Messi and tickets for all of Argentina's games are much more expensive. Tickets for today's game between Argentina and Canada start at $185 at time of publishing. Tickets for Argentina's game against Chile at MetLife Stadium next Tuesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey start at $291 at time of publishing.
Messi has a new drink, Mas+, debuting in the U.S. He was the hilarious punchline in a "Bad Boys" movie promo with movie stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. And if soccer fans aren’t already, they’ll be singing “O-Lays, O-Lays, O-Lays, O-Lays” after his commercials for Lays chips and other companies air all summer long.
Kyle Bonn says: "Argentina won't face a Copa America title contender until the final, and failing to reach that stage would be an enormous disappointment. In truth, they should win every game comfortably up to that point, although winning 'comfortably' for Argentina can sometimes end up as 1-0 or 2-0 victories."
Ben Sully writes: "With Canada boasting talented players like [Alphonso] Davies and [Jonathan] David, they have enough quality in their squad to cause the defending champions a few problems, but we believe Argentina's array of world-class talent will ultimately shine through to claim a routine victory."
Shambhu Ajith says: "Despite having a star-studded side led by Lionel Messi, this won't be a walk in the park for Argentina. Canada have some quality in their rainks too, with players like Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David having already proven their mettle playing in Europe. Despite that, Argentina should be able to kickstart their Copa America title defense with an important win on Thursday."
Staff write: "Canada have an excellent opportunity to test themselves against world football’s premier international side and will hope to make an impact. However, Argentina have enough strength in depth and match winners on the field to sway the tide in their favour. Having [Jonathan] David square off against the slower [Nicolas] Otamedi could give Canada some joy but the game should prove to be a convincing win for Argentina."
Copa America is almost here as Lionel Messi has arrived to the delight of the crowd.
Professional club in parentheses.
Professional club in parentheses.
La Albiceleste are bringing a star-studded roster to this year's Copa America, led by international star Lionel Messi. He's been a pillar of the team for nearly two decades and looks to add to his all-time best 108 goal tally for the national team.
Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martínez is in great form lately. He has three goals and an assist in Argentina's last four games, including two goals in a 4-1 win over Guatemala last week in the squad's final tune up prior to this tournament. The 26-year-old's growing into a bigger role on the team with Messi's future in doubt past.
Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez is another rising star for La Albiceleste. Nicknamed "The Spider" with a goal celebration that imitates Spider-Man, Alvarez scored four goals in his first World Cup in 2022, the youngest player to do so since Pelé. He helped Manchester City capture the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles this season.
Full back Alphonso Davies is a star and, even at 23 years old, one of the best North American soccer players in the world. He joined Bundesliga and European powerhouse Bayern Munich in 2018 and made his debut on the first team just before his 19th birthday. He's a proven player and one of the best in the Copa America tournament. Canada's future goes through Davies.
Striker Jonathan David is another star for the Canadian team. The Lille star finished second only to Kylian Mbappe in Ligue 1 in goals scored last season.
With the game nearing, Messi was introduced to the roar of the crowd.
Canada lost to the Netherlands and tied with France in two friendlies in June. Prior to that, the team earned a 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in the CONCACAF Nations League.
Cyle Larin scored the first goal of the game shortly after halftime.
Jacob Shaffelburg scored in extra time to make it 2-0 by the final whistle.
Argentina's lost just one international match since winning the 2022 World Cup. Last week, the team earned a win over Guatemala in a final tuneup prior to Copa America.
After an own goal four minutes into the match, star Lionel Messi easily scored an early equalizer less than 10 minutes later.
Lautaro Martínez added on the go-ahead score just before half time. Both he and Messi scored again in the second half to put the game away 4-1.
All times ET.
Thursday, June 20
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