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World champions Argentina kick off their defense of the Copa America title on Thursday (June 20) against debutants Canada. Lionel Messi is confirmed to feature in the starting XI.
Playing in what could be his final appearance in the South American showpiece event, the soon-to-be 37-year-old will be looking to bow out on a high, guiding the Albiceleste to their second consecutive Copa trophy.
Ahead of their opening game, journalist Esteban Edul has revealed that Messi will be one of the seven players confirmed to start at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will be starting in goal, whereas Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, and Nicolas Tagliafico are set to be the defensive quartet. Rodrigo De Paul is also assured of a place in the midfield.
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It was further revealed that the remaining four places in the XI are yet to be confirmed. Veterans such as Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes are likely to make the cut, whereas the peerless Lautaro Martinez, who has 24 goals from 58 games for Argentina, could start upfront ahead of Julian Alvarez.
It's worth noting that head coach Lionel Scaloni heavily rotated his XI over two warmup games this month against Ecuador and Guatemala. Emiliano Martinez, Lisandro Martinez, Giovani Lo Celso, and Lautaro Martinez were the only four players who started both the aforesaid friendly matches.
Argentina have been drawn alongside Canada, Chile, and Peru in Group A of Copa America 2024.
Lionel Messi to face Canada for the first time in his career
Argentine captain Lionel Messi will be playing against Canada for the first time in his international career. In the side's only previous encounter with the Maple Leaves, coming in 2010, the former Barcelona ace was missing, though it mattered little as the Albiceleste ran out 5-0 victors.
Messi will have the chance to score against a new side, as doing so would make Canada the 38th national side he has found the net against. He has the momentum in his favor, having netted twice against Guatemala in Argentina's last friendly game before the tournament.
At 108 goals from 182 games for Argentina, Messi is currently tied with Iranian legend Ali Daei, whose record was first surpassed by Messi's arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo in June 2021. With a goal on Thursday, Messi can become the second all-time top-scorer in international football by himself.
