The defending Copa América champions kick off their title defence this Thursday facing Concacaf qualifier Canada in the opening game of the 2024 tournament.
By Jon Arnold
Argentina followed up their 2021 Copa América title with a triumph at the 2022 World Cup and enter the summer with realistic expectations of a third consecutive major trophy. While Lionel Messi is no longer playing in the UEFA Champions League, he’s accumulated a dozen goals and nine assists in just 12 games played so far this season in MLS. Neither of those numbers lead the league, but it’s a good indication that when Messi is on the field, he’s still able to make magic happen.
He’s hardly alone. Long-time running buddy Ángel Di María is also back for a ‘last dance’ while forward Lautaro Martínez, midfielder Enzo Fernández and goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez are among 21 of 26 players who won the 2022 title and are back for Copa América.
While Argentina is marked by continuity, Canada is characterised by change. A new manager, American Jesse Marsch, is at the helm after Canada found their success plateauing after qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, its first since 1986.
Some star names who helped Canada return to the tournament remain key players including Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies and Lille forward Jonathan David. Other players are now working into the team as well, with goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau and centre-back Moïse Bombito expected to start in place of veterans who held down the roles in the 2022 cycle.
This will be Marsch’s third game in charge and the third match in which he’ll lead Canada against a team currently in the top 10 of the FIFA rankings. After a rocky debut, falling 4-0 to the Netherlands, Canada recovered with a scoreless draw against France ahead of Thursday’s opener. Argentina had a less daunting pre-tournament friendly calendar, taking care of Ecuador and Guatemala on U.S. soil.
While Argentina comes in as the defending Copa America holder thanks to the 2021 triumph that ended a long drought since Argentina’s win in the 1993 continental championship, Canada is making its debut. The North Americans were invited to the 2001 edition but pulled out after the tournament was canceled, then hastily un-canceled. They’ll hope to put up a strong fight. If they can match the draw they achieved against France, the world No. 2, when they face Argentina, the world No. 1, it will be a memorable debut. But Messi and the rest of the world champions will be eager to show they’re still the best team on the continent and in the world.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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