COPA AMERICA
How Messi and Argentina shape up 100 days ahead of 2024 Copa América
The Albiceleste will be looking to defend their as the competition gets underway on 21 June with the tournament being staged in the United States.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina have started to focus in on the 2024 Copa America which gets underway exactly 100 days from today with the tournament set to offer the side the first major tournament test since the 2022 Qatar World Cup which culminated with the long-awaited third star on 18 December at Lusail Stadium.
This Copa América 2024 returns to the United States after eight years and Argentina start as favorites to retain their crown after their famous 1-0 win over Brazil in the 2021 final.
The journey to the final will be far from easy with the likes of Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia, and even guests in the shape of Mexico and the United States will look to spoil the party for Messi and the Albiceleste side.
Argentina get their campaign underway on 20 June at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta against the winner of the Concacaf playoff between Trinidad and Tobago and Canada.
100 key days for Messi
With muscle injuries, once again hindering Messi’s continuity with his club Inter Miami, the striker knows the importance of arriving in optimum condition for the tournament with this Copa América undoubtedly set to be his last continental fling with Ángel Di María already stating that he will call time on his international career upon the conclusion of the US based competition.
Argentina’s performance at the competition may also be a conditioning factor in Messi continuing to play for the national side with many feeling that the Rosario born striker would have brought the curtain down on his international activity upon the conclusion of the last World Cup.
The Argentina captain will now need to prioritize his club activity and carefully select in which games he plays with Inter Miami as the Herons face a busy period with games in both MLS and in the CONCACAF Champions Cup coming up think and fast.