Lionel Messi received the World Cup in 2022, received the Copa América in 2021, and needs to point out he has the starvation to win some extra.
Argentina heads into this month’s South American soccer championship because the defending champion however with a crew that is slowly beginning to rejuvenate.
The event, which begins on June 20 in the USA, will gauge whether or not Messi will nonetheless be capable to play on the subsequent World Cup in 2026, when he’ll be 39. It is going to additionally take a look at younger skills like striker Alejandro Garnacho and mark the nationwide crew’s goodbye to veteran Ángel Di María.
“We’re clear concerning the path to observe. It isn’t simple to compete once more after profitable all of it,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni stated in March. “About outcomes, the winner is not all the time the one who does the very best issues. … Nobody can decrease their guard.”
Argentina received its fifteenth Copa America title three years in the past, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, by beating Brazil 1-0 within the remaining. That event served as a springboard for its triumphant run to the World Cup title a yr later in Qatar.
Argentina remains to be relying on a number of gamers who received these titles with Argentina, however with key additions when the crew opens play on June 20 towards Canada in Group A. Peru and Chile are additionally within the group.
AGING MESSI
Messi will flip 37 through the Copa America, which will even mark the primary time he’ll play a serious occasion since leaving European soccer. He scored 15 objectives in 14 matches for Inter Miami this yr.
The Argentina captain has struggled with muscular accidents for the reason that World Cup, however has not stated when he expects to retire from the nationwide crew.
“Time will inform whether or not I shall be (on the 2026 World Cup) or not,” Messi instructed Star Plus in December. “So long as I really feel I’m nicely and that I’m able to assist, I’ll do it. Right this moment all I take into consideration is to get nicely to the Copa América and play it. Struggle for it once more, as we all the time do, attempt to be the champions.
“If we do nicely at Copa América and I can preserve enjoying, possibly it occurs.”
DI MARÍA’S GOODBYE
Di María scored in each the profitable Copa America and World Cup finals, however the veteran striker has determined to finish his nationwide crew profession this yr in the USA.
“Copa America would be the final time I put on the Argentina shirt. With all of the ache in my soul and feeling a lump within the throat, I bid farewell of essentially the most stunning factor that occurred in my profession,” Di María stated on the finish of 2023 on his social media channels.
Di María is fourth on the record in appearances for Argentina, enjoying in 138 matches since his debut in 2008. He performed within the final 4 World Cups and was additionally within the squad that received the Olympic gold medal on the 2008 Beijing Video games.
REVERENCE AND RENOVATION
All 11 gamers who began towards France within the 2022 World Cup remaining are prone to be within the squad, together with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, defenders Cristian Romero and Nicolás Otamendi, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, and ahead Julián Álvarez. Essentially the most notable absence is ahead Paulo Dybala, who got here on as an alternative within the penalty-shootout victory in Qatar and has struggled with accidents.
Gonzalo Montiel, who scored the decisive penalty, is prone to stay with the squad regardless of little enjoying time at English membership Nottingham Forest.
Two gamers thought to be key for Argentina’s renovation shall be in the USA for the event, Brighton left again Valentín Barco and Monza striker Valentín Carboni.
Reporting by the Related Press.
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