Today, July 10, the Argentine national team defeated the Canadian national team 2-0 in the semifinals of the 2024 Copa América at MetLife Stadium. With this victory, forward Lionel Messi reached his 8th final of a major international tournament with the Argentine national team (5 Copa Américas, 2 World Cups and 1 Finalissima).
"It's an incredible feeling to be back in another Copa America final," Messi said after the match. "This team has worked so hard to get here, and we are determined to finish the job and defend our title."
In the final, Argentina will face the winner of the Uruguay-Colombia semi-final, which will be played tomorrow, July 11.
In the current edition of the tournament, Messi has played four games, scoring one goal and providing one assist. The 37-year-old forward is looking to add another Copa America trophy to his already impressive international resume.
“Lionel is a true legend of the game, and he consistently performs at the highest level for us,” said Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni. “His experience and leadership are invaluable, and we will be counting on him to lead us to glory in the final.”
The 2024 Copa América runs from June 21 to July 15. The defending champion is Argentina, who beat Brazil 1-0 in the 2021 final. Argentina and Uruguay are the most successful teams in the tournament's history, with 15 titles each.
"We know how difficult it is to win the Copa America," Messi said. "The competition is always fierce, and every team wants to be champions. But we have proven that we have the quality and determination to triumph, and we are not going to let this opportunity slip away.
With a chance to add another continental title to his legacy, Messi is determined to cement his place as one of the greatest players to ever represent Argentina on the international stage.
"This team has always given me a lot of pride and joy," he said. "To be able to lead them to another Copa América final is an honour, and I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure we come out on top."
The stage is set for a thrilling finale as Messi and Argentina look to defend their title and cement their status as the dominant force in South American football.
