Copa America 2024 will be the stage for Leo Messi‘s seventh appearance in the oldest national team tournament in the world, where he could break a few records in addition to having the possibility of winning back-to-back championships with Argentina.
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If Messi steps on the field in Argentina’s debut against Canada on June 20th, he will become the player with the most Copa America games played (35), surpassing Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone (34).
While it may take him more matches to achieve this record, ‘la Pulga’ (the flea, as he is called in Spanish because of his movements and speed) could become the tournament’s top scorer. Currently, Messi has 13 goals and needs at least five more to surpass Norberto Mendes and Zizinho, both with 17.
Also, Messi is close to becoming the first player to score in seven consecutive Copa America editions and the first Argentine to participate seven times in a row (2007, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024).
The world champion has scored a hat-trick in the Copa América, and if he scores another one, he would join the only 10 players to have scored two.
Inter Miami’s player would climb as the second highest goalscorer with national teams, equaling the Iranian Ali Daei who scored 109 goals, three more than Messi.
He also has in his hands the opportunity to surpass Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he shares the first place in the record of goals from free kicks or penalties, with 11 each while at the same time his rival plays for Portugal in the Euro 2024.
Finally, Messi (53) can also snatch Neymar’s (59) lead in the list of most assists with national teams.
Messi and Argentina will begin their group stage journey against Canada this Thursday (June 20th), followed by their match with Chile (June 25th) and then Peru (29th).
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