The 2024 Copa America in the United States is about to kick off on June 21, and Argentina, as the defending champions, is in the spotlight. Whether the Argentine team can continue to maintain its strong momentum in this tournament has become the focus of fans' concern. Especially Messi, who has left the European stage, can still exert his strength now? In addition, will the Argentine Football Federation's consistent bizarre operation become a stumbling block for the team again? These questions will be answered in this America's Cup.
Argentina is currently ranked No. 1 in the FIFA rankings, with Scaloni as the coach and Messi as the captain. As the team's all-time top scorer and appearance record holder, Messi is undoubtedly the soul of the Argentine team. Argentina has won 15 times in the history of the Copa America, tied for first place with Uruguay, showing strong strength and traditional superiority.
Historically, Argentina has been outstanding in the Copa America. Since the inaugural Copa America in 1916, Argentina has repeatedly topped the trophy and become the most successful team in the history of the Copa America. In 2021, under the leadership of Messi, Argentina broke the 28-year championship drought and won the Copa America at home in Brazil, followed by the Hercules Cup in the 2022 World Cup.
In the 2023 World Cup qualifiers, Argentina continued their good form, scoring multiple victories and topping the table with a consistent performance. However, the team is not without its worries. Coach Scaloni's words after last year's away win over Brazil sparked concern among fans.
He said he needed to stop and think about what to do, which was also considered a departure speech. Although he did not leave the position in the end, the conflict with the Argentine Football Federation has cast a shadow over the future of the team.
Speaking of the Argentine Football Federation, this organization has really been in the history of riots. During the 2016 Copa America, the Argentine Football Federation resigned due to unpaid wages to coach Martino, and the team almost couldn't even make up a 23-man squad. Before the 2018 World Cup, the warm-up match arranged by the Argentine Football Federation caused a huge political turmoil, and was finally canceled under the joint pressure of Messi and Mascherano and others.
What's even more outrageous is that after winning the World Cup, the Argentine Football Association has not cashed out FIFA's $42 million bonus to the team, which has become one of the reasons why Scaloni is considering leaving.
For Argentina, the group stage of this Copa America will be in the same group as Canada, Chile and Peru. Chile used to be Argentina's sufferer, but the Pampas Eagles have won several times over Chile in recent years. Peru is Argentina's old rival in World Cup qualifying. The only unfamiliar opponent is Canada, and although it is not a traditional powerhouse, there have been some new stars emerging in recent years, and Argentina should not be taken lightly.
Compared with the 2022 World Cup, the lineup of the Argentine team has not changed much, and veterans such as Messi, Di Maria, and Otamendi are still in the team. Although Messi has left the European stage, he still performs well in the American professional league team Miami International. In this Copa America, whether Messi can continue to play a key role will largely determine the results of the Argentine team.
Overall, the challenges for Argentina in this Copa America are not small. On the one hand, Messi's form and impact on the team are crucial; On the other hand, the Argentine Football Federation's internal friction problems could adversely affect the team. However, as long as Messi can play well, Argentina will still be expected to do well in this Copa America. Fans are also looking forward to seeing this team, full of history and glory, once again write a glorious chapter on the field.
In any case, Argentina's performance will be one of the biggest highlights of this Copa America. Let's wait and see if this team can climb to the top again and continue to write their own legacy.