Copa America 2024: Lionel Messi-led Argentina will be gunning to defend the Copa America title in the USA.
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team’s fifth goal during the international friendly match. (Image via Getty Images)
New Delhi: The Copa America tournament is around the corner and the defending champions Argentina are ready for the continental tournament which will take place in the United States of America from June 21. It has always been an exciting event in the football calendar, especially for the fans in South America. Argentina, the 2022 FIFA World Cup champions, are favourites to retain their Copa America title with odds heavily in their favour.
Since 2015, Argentina have only failed once to top the group in Copa America. Lionel Scaloni’s side is a mix of experienced players including Argentina’s all-time top scorer Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi and others.
Argentina have won the trophy fifteen times, making them the joint-holder with Uruguay. They are the record holder of being the only team to win the title three consecutive times (1945-1947). They have been the second runner-up in the Copa America tournament 14 times. They have a favourable group to advance to the knockout stages.
Argentina’s Copa America 2024 squad
Lionel Scaloni’s 29-member provisional squad includes:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Franco Armani, Geronimo Rulli
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi, Cristian Romero , Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Lisandro Martinez , Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Tagliafico, Valentin Barco
Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Exequiel Palacios, Giovani Lo Celso, Valentin Carboni
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Angel Correa, Alejandro Garnacho
Player to watch out for: Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi celebrates after their sides third goal by Julian Alvarez of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. (Image via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi led his side to victory at the 2021 Copa America before powering the La Albiceleste
to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar. Messi holds the all-time top scorer record with 106 goals in 180 international appearances after making his debut in 2005.
Messi could yet again prove to be the difference-maker for Argentina in Copa America 2024. He is being backed to have another successful tournament as he performed well for Inter Miami in the MLS this year. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is likely playing his last major tournament, which raises the expectations even more of the Argentine fans.
Young Shining Star: Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho of Argentina in action during the international friendly between Indonesia and Argentina. (Photo – Getty Images)
For a side stacked with centre forwards and attacking midfielders, Alejandro Garnacho could prove to be an ideal spark in Lionel Scaloni’s team. The 19-year-old winger has been an instrumental figure for Manchester United this season with 10 goals, and five assists in 50 appearances including an opener in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Garnacho will be a perfect late option to run at defenders when their legs start to get tired. If Garnacho manages to continue his recent form, he will amaze the world with his talent in the upcoming Copa America.
Prediction
There is no denying that Argentina is a cut above the rest in their group and the odds rightfully represent that. Messi-led Argentina are offensive beasts who dictate possession and limit chances for the other teams.
Argentina have enjoyed 73.91% possession so far this year and 62.71% in the last one which has played a vital role in helping them to keep control of the game. Argentina is a dangerous side to play against because of the ability of their attackers to drift between positions and to ensure there are always routes for the ball to travel to the nets.
Although Argentina’s progression will not be easy with Peru, Chile, and Canada, it is widely expected that there is only one-way Group A will go and that’s Argentina at the top.
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Publish date : 2024-06-10 08:27:53
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