Argentina played out Canada in the first game of the Copa America 2024. The La Albiceleste began the game the very same way. Argentina captain Lionel Messi made a record appearance in tournament history becoming the most capped footballer in the history of the quadrennial tournament. The 36-year-old footballer has made his 7th appearance in the tournament for the reigning Copa champions. No footballer in the past has made seven appearances in the game.
Messi failed to score his 14th goal of the tournament after an amazing long ball from Emiliano Martinez led the Inter-Miami footballer to open in a 1v1 situation with goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, but he failed to put it past after his initial attempt was saved and the rebound also falling to him as he tried chipping the ball hitting the head of the Canadian defender. The No.10 is just four goals away from becoming the highest goal scorer in the tournament.
He yet again got a similar chance but this time he put it wide of the goal. The former FC Barcelona footballer had no luck in scoring on the night to score.
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Will Messi play another Copa America?
This might be the final Copa tournament for the Argentina captain as he will soon turn 37 in a few days and by the time the next tournament appears he will turn 40 age might be a factor in playing against the finest footballers of America will be a bit of difficult for him.
The Argentine forward has been the leading goal scorer for the country and the whole of South America. He previously dropped a comment about his possible future at MLS and might also be ending his career in the USA itself.
Previously he became the footballer with the most international goals in history as a non-European. A brace against a recent friendly against Guatemala increased his goal tally to 108 and got tied up with Ali Daei.