'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Lionel Messi is expected to start when Argentina take on Canada in their opening game of the 2024 Copa America at the Mercedes Benz Stadium on Thursday, June 20. La Albiceleste will be looking to defend the title which they won in 2021 by defeating Brazil in the final.
Argentina have been on an incredible run since the Copa America in 2021. They won the 2022 Finalissima, beating Italy at Wembley Stadium, and then won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar a few months later.
Lionel Scaloni's side will be looking for yet another strong showing at a major tournament which starts with a Group A game against Canada.
Lionel Messi is Argentina's talisman and is expected to start and lead his side's attack in the game on Thursday. The Inter Miami star could be partnered alongside the likes of Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.
Trending
The three-time world champions have many attacking options to choose from to play alongside Lionel Messi, including Angel Di Maria, Nico Gonzalez, and Alejandro Garnacho.
Argentina played two friendly matches against Ecuador and Guatemala in June before the start of Copa America 2024. Messi played 34 minutes against Ecuador as his team secured a 1-0 win. He played the full 90 minutes against Guatemala, scoring twice and providing an assist as his side won 4-1.
Lionel Scaloni's side have been placed in a tricky group at the 2024 Copa America. They are placed alongside Canada, Chile, and Peru in the tournament's Group A.
Argentina skipper Lionel Messi has been in great form going into 2024 Copa America
Lionel Messi is playing in his first full season in the United States and has had a great start to the 2024 season. His form will be great news for Argentina who are aiming to retain the Copa America title this year.
Before the start of the tournament, Messi played 15 times for Inter Miami this season and has contributed 14 goals and 11 assists across all competitions. This included a tally of 12 goals and nine assists from 12 matches in Major League Soccer (MLS).
It is, however, worth mentioning that Lionel Messi had a few injury concerns at the start of the new season. He missed four matches in the league in March due to a muscular injury and also had a leg injury which saw him miss a game in May.
