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Lionel Messi is all smiles. Argentina had just beaten Canada to reach another important final, a team that had been indomitable for the past five years and had strengthened their belief that they would defend their Copa America title from four years ago.
“It’s so beautiful, it’s something we should cherish,” Messi said. “I’ve been saying it all, to reach another final, four finals in a row… what this group of players has done is something to be proud of. We should take it seriously and recognize it.
There is now no doubt that this group of players, led by the venerable captain Lionel Messi, is the best team Argentina has ever produced.
The reigning America’s Cup champion has lost just twice in 61 games, a streak dating back five years. During this time, they won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup and The first final in 2023 will be against European champions Italy. It’s 90 minutes away.
MetLife Stadium hosted Argentina’s greatest ever team (Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Messi has now led his country to seven finals. But before lifting the America’s Cup trophy in 2021, he has only suffered heavy defeats on the grandest stage. Casting a pall over his legacy in Argentina.
The team that lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany in overtime included many of the same players who had lost in the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals. In recent years, Messi An effort to pay homage to teams and players considered losers by Argentina’s football-crazy culture. Today, Argentinian players are national heroes, displaying a relentless desire to win.
The stadiums where they have played in the United States for three weeks so far have been packed with fans wearing blue and white. Back in Buenos Aires, the entire country was eager to celebrate another title. There’s a belief that this team has luck, unlike teams that have faltered in their greatest moments leading up to 2021.
“We have done this before but were not taken seriously, maybe because we were not lucky enough to win,” Messi said. “These teams have also participated in the Copa America and World Cup finals. But now we need to enjoy this moment.
Messi was all smiles in New Jersey on Tuesday night (Elsa/Getty Images)
“The (Argentine) people should stand tall and enjoy this Argentine national team and all its achievements. We are in the final again and we are still competing.
Messi scored Argentina’s second goal against Canada, taking his international tally to 109, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal. Scored 130 goals, ranking second in history. It was actually his first goal of the tournament, reflecting what has been an underwhelming Copa America for Argentina.
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In Argentina’s second game of the group stage, he suffered an adductor (groin) injury, causing him to miss one game. However, Argentina moved on without him, easily won the first place in the group. That’s what’s so special about this Argentine team. They’re deep at almost every position.
Players such as Julian Alvarez could be swapped with Serie A’s top scorer Lautaro Martinez if necessary. Led by Tottenham’s Christian Romero, the backline is as solid as any in the world. They have different-looking full-backs; Nahuel Molina and Marcos Acuna are footed defenders, while Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolas Tagliafico are man-markers. Bulldog.
Argentina’s midfield is the team’s strength. After the final whistle, Rodrigo De Paul was in tears at the physical sacrifice required of Canada’s game, where he played alongside two Premier League No. 8s, Alexis McAllister and Enzo Fernandez. Both players stick to attack and defense, allowing Messi and Di Maria to choose when to press and focus on creating chances.
Di Maria will retire after this tournament (Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Since head coach Lionel Scaloni took over in 2019, Argentina’s side has been characterized by depth and tactical flexibility, while maintaining a focus on possession and control of the game throughout. Di Maria has publicly stated that he will retire from the national team after the Copa America. The 36-year-old will now have a unique opportunity to walk away after winning another trophy.
“I don’t think I would have dreamed of this,” DiMaria said. “I am very grateful to this generation of players because it is because of them that I was able to do all this. Thanks to them, I was able to reach the final in my last game with the national team.
“There were some bad times – sometimes you had to get stepped over. But that’s how it ended. I lifted the (World Cup) trophy and played another final wearing this shirt.
Messi, who turned 37 last month, called this moment in his career, Di Maria and veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, also 36, “our last game.” On Tuesday, he emphasized that the road to continued success is difficult. Argentina is not a team that can beat its opponents. Every game was filled with tension and anxiety, and when Argentina scored, roars of celebration followed.
At the other end of the pitch, Argentina’s goalkeeper was almost unbeatable. Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez gives the current world champions an edge that makes them easy to hate. Evil in sports is a sign of success. But as Martinez laughed at MetLife Stadium after the game, he seemed in awe of his team’s superiority.
“I can’t believe it, I can’t believe this,” he said. “You have to believe, but keep your feet on the ground and have the mindset that it’s possible.”
When asked if he thought Argentina was the best team at the World Cup, Martinez shook his head modestly. “There are a lot of good teams,” Martinez said. “Look at Brazil (exiting in the quarter-finals). The pitch (used for this Copa America) is so bad that any team can challenge you. Uruguay are looking really good and Colombia haven’t lost in their last 30 games. .(These two teams will meet in the second semifinal on Wednesday night).
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While Argentina went on to win, Scaloni himself teetered on the edge of despair. He almost left the national team Last November, after a historic defeat to Brazil in the Rio de Janeiro World Cup qualifiers. “I need to stop and start thinking – I have a lot to think about during this time,” Scaloni said at the time.
After last night’s win over Canada, Scaloni looked like a coach with purpose back. He was clearly delighted. “We’ve had great success, but it makes everything more difficult – and more expensive,” he said. Scaloni dodged all questions about Argentina’s impressive run of three consecutive wins in the final. “We’re focused on winning this final.
Scaloni is revitalized (Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Scaloni told reporters that Messi’s future will be decided by the players. He and his staff would never close the door on the veteran. In fact, Scaloni emphasized that Messi can continue to stay in the national team as long as he wants. “If I went anywhere else, I would take him with me,” Scaloni said. “He will help me a lot, but it’s up to him.”
A few steps away, surrounded by hordes of reporters from around the world, Messi continues to enjoy the spotlight.
It must have been very difficult for him to think about getting away from it all. He idolized this group of players and they idolized him. Victory in the Copa America final in Miami on Sunday (early Monday UK time), who now plays for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, could become a factor in extending Messi’s international career to co-hosts The catalyst for the 2026 World Cup. Alternatively, a fourth trophy in a row might prompt him to hang up his heroic boots.
Now, Messi is as happy as ever, and so is the country of Argentina.
“Argentines are crazy about the national team and football,” Messi added. “This group of (players) has been cultivating this relationship for a long time. We get important wins and these guys will continue to play game after game. We don’t always play well, but our willingness to compete is Astonishing.
“Let’s enjoy this moment but also be thankful for what started eight years ago.”
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Argentina 2-0 Canada: Messi scores, Argentina advances to Copa America final
(Above: Sarah Steele/Getty Images)
