Messi set to break 71-year-old Copa América record

Whatever the outcome of today’s game against Canada, Lionel Messi will enter the history books once again. Argentina and Canada get the 2024 Copa América underway in Atlanta and in this 48th edition of the tournament, Messi will set another record.

Today’s inaugural game against Canada will be Messi’s 35th appearance in the Copa América and will see him overtake the player who holds the all-time appearances record in the tournament.

Messi and Livingstone tied on 34 Copa América appearances

Messi currently shares the record with legendary Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone. Nicknamed El Sapo (The Toad) and known for being one of the first goalkeeper to wear a short sleeved jersey, Livingstone made 34 Copa América appearances in seven editions of the competition between 1941 and 1953 although he never lifted the trophy. Livingstone played his last game in the South American competition on 28 March 1953, in the 2-2 draw with Bolivia at the National Stadium in Lima.

Messi made his Copa América debut in the 4-1 win over the United States on 28 June 2007, when Venezuela hosted the tournament. It was the first of six appearances which he made in that edition. Argentina reached the final but were beaten 3-0 by Brazil - the first of three finals that Messi would end up losing.

Where is Messi in the Copa América all-time goal scoring list?

He finally got his hands on the trophy in 2021, ending as the joint top scorer with Colombia’s Luis Díaz. Messi equaled Livingstone’s appearances record in the final against Brazil at the Maracanã on 10 July 2021.

In the five editions of the Copa América that Messi has taken part in, he has scored a total of 13 goals and dished out 17 assists. He is just four goals away from equaling another tournament record - Brazil’s Zizinho and Leo’s compatriot Norberto Méndez share the all-time goals record with 17 each.

However the only other two active players on the list are also at this year’s Copa América and both are just ahead of Messi in the goal scorer ranking. Chile’s Eduardo Vargas and Peru’s Paolo Guerrero are both on 14 goals - three away from matching the tournament record.