Inter Miami’s Argentine talismanic ahead Lionel Messi is ready to guide defending champions Argentina at this summer season’s Copa America within the U.S.
Widely thought to be the best of all time, the 36-year-old captained La Albiceleste to their first Copa America triumph in 28 years in 2021 and later led them to World Cup glory in 2022.
While it’s unsure if the 2024 Copa America will likely be Messi’s remaining worldwide look, he goals to make a major impression within the U.S., the place he is already dazzled with Inter Miami.
Messi has netted 25 targets and offered 16 assists in 29 appearances for Inter Miami, propelling the crew to the highest of the MLS standings this season.
With eyes set on breaking extra information this summer season, listed here are some methods Messi may etch his title within the historical past books on the 2024 Copa America.
Most appearances at Copa America
Messi has made 34 appearances on the Copa America, tying with former Chile worldwide Sergio Livingstone.
He is poised to interrupt the report outright when Argentina faces Canada of their opening group-stage match on June 21.
Most match appearances for Argentina
Having represented Argentina in six completely different Copa America tournaments (2007, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021), Messi is ready to turn out to be the primary Argentine participant to take part in seven editions of South America’s premier continental match.
Copa America’s all-time main goalscorer
Messi has scored 13 targets throughout six Copa America tournaments.
Scoring 5 extra targets this summer season would make him the all-time main goalscorer, surpassing the present report of 17 targets held collectively by Argentina’s Norberto Mendez and Brazil’s Zizinho.
Additionally, Messi already holds the report for many assists in Copa America historical past, with 17 assists, far forward of his closest challengers.
Most targets in a single Copa America match
The report for many targets in a single Copa America match is 9, held by Brazil’s Jair (1949), Argentina’s Humberto Maschio (1957), and Uruguay’s Javier Ambrois (1957).
Messi can break this report by scoring ten or extra targets on the 2024 Copa America.
Hat methods in a number of Copa America tournaments
Messi scored a hat trick within the 2016 Copa America group stage in opposition to Panama.
If he scores one other hat trick this summer season, he’ll be a part of an elite group of solely 10 gamers to have scored hat methods in two completely different tournaments.
Most worldwide purpose contributions
Messi has collected 162 purpose contributions (106 targets, 56 assists) in 181 worldwide appearances for Argentina.
He is at the moment 14 purpose contributions behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 176 contributions (130 targets, 46 assists) in 207 caps for Portugal.
Messi will want a stellar Copa America and hope Ronaldo underperforms at Euro 2024 to assert the report for many worldwide purpose contributions.
Consecutive participant of match awards, first three-time winner
Messi has gained the Copa America Player of the Tournament award twice (2015, 2021), becoming a member of Uruguay’s Enzo Francescoli and Jose Nasazzi and Argentina’s Manuel Seoane.
This summer season, he may turn out to be the primary participant to win the award 3 times and the primary to take action in consecutive tournaments.
Source: www.dailysabah.com