Top Copa America 2024 storylines: Canada’s debut, Messi’s farewell looms

While Germany, Spain and the Netherlands are making headlines across the pond at Euro 2024, another massive soccer tournament is about to start in North America — Copa America.

From June 20 to July 14, 16 teams from CONMEBOL and CONCACAF will play across 14 cities in the United States.

World Cup champions and reigning Copa America winners Argentina will be going for the two-peat, with legendary captain Lionel Messi hoping to break a handful of records. Brazil and Uruguay are possible title challengers, but will scrappy underdogs Ecuador and Colombia get in the way? Up north, Canada makes its tournament debut under new management, while the U.S.’s head coach is hanging on by a thread.

Read on for the top storylines to watch at the 2024 edition of Copa America.

Quick hits

Manager to watch: Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay

“Bielsa ball” returns to Copa America, but this time with a different team — Uruguay. The former Argentina manager is ready to use his mercurial personality, winning mentality and possession-based philosophy to try to lead La Celeste to Copa America glory.

Tournament underdogs: Ecuador

With recent wins over Uruguay, Bolivia and Chile, Ecuador could be the tournament underdogs to watch. Felix Sanchez’s squad has matured since bowing out of the Qatar World Cup in the group stage. La Tri’s stars, such as Enner Valencia and Moisés Caicedo, are ready to prove Ecuador’s worth on a larger scale.

Team under pressure: U.S.

The U.S. men’s national team is on thin ice. After being crushed by Colombia in a friendly on June 8, Gregg Berhalter’s ability to lead the Americans has been questioned. Christian “Captain America” Pulisic can only do so much, so who else will step up? As the Stars and Stripes are hosting the tournament, their off-field presence will also be tested ahead of co-hosting the 2026 World Cup.

Is Brazil playing mind games?

On Saturday, a bizarre interaction between Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldinho and YouTube channel Cartoloucos sent the Internet into a frenzy. Following a 1-1 draw to the U.S. men’s national team on June 13, Ronaldinho blasted Dorival Júnior’s side, claiming it “lacks everything.”

“I’m not going to watch a single game. I’m going to abandon Brazil. Things aren’t going well. The team lacks grit, commitment, everything,” Ronaldinho said.

Ronaldinho, who lifted the Confederations Cup, World Cup and Copa America trophies with Brazil, added “this is a sad moment for everyone who likes Brazilian football” on social media.

On Sunday, the former winger revealed his comments were part of a campaign aimed at generating reaction and support for the CONMEBOL powerhouse. He will, in fact, support Brazil at Copa America.

Naturally, the stunt caused drama and distaste among the fanbase, including Brazil forward Raphinha who said it “was a blow” for the players, fake or not. Was this the right PR move ahead of an important tournament for the South American nation?

While the Seleção are one of the favourites to claim gold this summer, there’s no denying their performances have been lacklustre over the last couple of years. Brazil lost its first three 2022 World Cup qualifiers, underperformed at Qatar, and lost or drew matches to Morocco, Senegal, Venezuela, Uruguay and Colombia in the past year and a half. When Júnior was hired in January, he inherited a team bubbling with individual talent, but no idea how to turn that talent into a unified presence.

However, the 62-year-old coach has turned out to be a welcome addition, restoring confidence, direction and flexibility to his crop of Brazilian athletes. Let’s hope Ronaldinho’s fiasco didn’t erase everything Júnior has worked towards when Brazil takes on Costa Rica in its first group match on June 24.

Lionel Messi: Records and… retirement? 

Lionel Messi doesn’t need an introduction — nor does he need any more accolades. He’s won everything there possibly is to win in the sport. But when the 36-year-old leads Argentina into Mercedes-Benz Stadium for its first group match against Canada on June 20, one question will be on many fans’ minds. How many international tournaments does the global superstar have left?

In 2023, Messi revealed that while he’s not ruling out the possibility of playing in the 2026 World Cup, his age would make the task difficult. Earlier in June, he said Inter Miami will be his final club, fuelling speculation that the golden age of Messi will soon be coming to a close.

However, we won’t jump to conclusions just yet. La Albiceleste manager Lionel Scaloni believes the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will play at the 2026 showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

“I think Messi can make it to the next World Cup… It will depend a lot on what he wants and what happens over time, that he feels good. The doors will always be open. He is happy on the pitch, and for us (it) would be good,” Scaloni said.

At the 2024 Copa America, Messi has the chance to break a number of records. This will be Messi’s seventh time at the tournament, and if he steps onto the pitch at all, he will become the player with the most appearances in the competition. Right now, the Argentine and legendary Chile goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone are tied with 34 caps each.

Additionally, if Messi scores five goals at the tournament, he’ll also break the record for all-time goals scored. Messi currently sits at 13 goals, with the record of 17 being jointly held by Brazil’s Zizinho and Argentina’s Norberto Mendez. This accolade has stood since the 1950s.

Will debutants Canada make a splash?

Who could forget Alphonso Davies’ leaping header 67 seconds into Canada’s group match against Croatia at the 2022 World Cup? While many thought that moment was Canada’s step into the spotlight, the games and months that followed were characteristically flat.

The Canadian national teams (especially the women) brought Canada Soccer’s political and financial turmoil to light. The organization underwent a staffing overhaul. Previous men’s head coach John Herdman left to join Toronto FC in MLS, and in the meantime, interim coach Mauro Biello barely led Les Rouges through Copa America qualifying.

Considering this, Jesse Marsch’s hiring in May was a fresh start for the Great White North. The former RB Leipzig and Leeds United man brings experience and optimism to the men’s national team ahead of its Copa America debut. Will the Wisconsin native be the one to transform Canada’s potential into a household name? Will he help unify the players with the organization, heading into the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by Canada?

While answers to those questions will have to wait, Marsch needs to focus on the task at hand — avoiding a repeat of Canada’s performance at Qatar during Copa America. The general consensus is that Argentina will breeze by Marsch’s side, and Canada probably won’t get out of Group A, which also features Chile and Peru. But will the new coach be able to change the narrative? Canada has a handful of young stars (Davies, Ismaël Koné, Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan, to name a few), alongside seasoned veterans (Stephen Eustáquio, Alistair Johnston and Cyle Larin) who played vital roles in its recent 0-0 friendly draw with France. Can Canada carry that momentum into its next match against the No. 1 team in the world?

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