Argentina’s Lionel Messi breaks record for most Copa America appearances
The great Lionel Messi has added another record to his storied career.
With his start in Argentina’s opener against Canada in the 2024 Copa America, Messi set a new record for highest-capped player at the tournament.
Messi’s start on Thursday was the 35th Copa America game of his career, and he passed Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone’s previous record of 34 appearances.
Led by Messi, Argentina won its 15th Copa America title three years ago, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, by beating Brazil 1-0 in the final.
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Copa America 2024
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Messi will turn 37 during the Copa America, which will also mark the first time he’ll play a major event since leaving European soccer. He scored 15 goals in 14 matches for MLS’s Inter Miami this year.
The Argentina captain has struggled with muscular injuries since the World Cup, but has not said when he expects to retire from the national team.
“Time will tell whether I will be (at the 2026 World Cup) or not,” Messi told Star Plus in December. “As long as I feel I am well and that I am able to help, I will do it. Today all I think about is to get well to the Copa America and play it. Fight for it again, as we always do, try to be the champions.
“If we do well at Copa America and I can keep playing, maybe it happens.”
— With files from the Associated Press