Copa América 2024 guide: Messi's title defense and the underdogs to watch

Luis Miguel Echegaray from ESPN wrote a blog post on June 21, 2024 at 03:51 PM.

The Copa América, a big tournament in South America, has started in the United States. This is the second time it's being held here, with the last one in 2016. There are many interesting things happening, like World Cup winners Lionel Messi and Argentina trying to defend their title. The USMNT is using this as practice for the 2026 World Cup, which they will help host. Brazil is also trying to get back in shape and play well in the tournament.

As we get ready for the upcoming action from the Americas in the next few weeks, let's explore further some of the exciting things we have to look forward to. This includes the intense rivalries, standout players, and the many reasons why this edition will give us plenty to talk about.

Could This Be Messi's Final Act?

Messi is celebrating his 37th birthday on Monday, marking the near end of his remarkable career. During a chat with ESPN, the talented Argentine player revealed that Inter Miami will be his final team before retiring. The upcoming Copa América presents an opportunity for Messi to claim a third consecutive major title with Argentina and add more moments to cherish with the national squad, following their victories in the 2021 Copa and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

But is this also the end of his time on the global platform in a big competition? It's impossible to say for sure.

Messi is actually not sure about what lies ahead, including whether he will play in the next World Cup. "It all depends on my physical condition and how I feel about it," he explained in an interview with Infobae. "I need to be honest with myself and decide if I am fit enough to compete and support my teammates on the field."

Which teams are the unexpected contenders at Copa America 2024?

Sebastian Salazar and Herculez Gomez select their surprise contenders for Copa America 2024.

Talking about winning the Copa title again, Messi mentioned that the competition will be more challenging this time. He expressed that they won't have an easy time but they are willing to give it another shot.

Yes, he is correct. It will be challenging because the difficulties are now coming from other countries as well, not just Brazil. This was demonstrated by their impressive 2-0 victory against a tough Canada team. The recent World Cup qualifiers have revealed that the rankings in CONMEBOL are shifting.

Marcelo Bielsa's team from Uruguay is full of energy, strength, and represents the tough, warrior-like spirit of Garra Charrúa. Colombia, on the other hand, has changed a lot since missing the World Cup in Qatar. The Colombian team is now a skillful, brave, and adventurous squad with a good mix of both experienced players and young talent. Under the guidance of head coach Nestor Lorenzo, they have become very organized and disciplined. They will definitely be a strong team to watch out for.

However, Messi & his team are considered the top picks, and when it comes to choosing players for the team, head coach Lionel Scaloni has not made any big changes - 21 out of 26 players were also in Qatar in 2022. Yet, the new players, such as teenagers Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester and Valentín Carboni from Inter (currently on loan at Monza), indicate that Scaloni is looking ahead to the future.

Who Can Cause An Upset?

Argentina is considered the top team, but there are other teams that could surprise everyone. In their group, they will face Canada, Peru, and Chile - two countries with a long history of rivalry due to political and cultural differences that also play out on the soccer field. This match, known as the Clásico del Pacífico, is usually intense and aggressive. The upcoming match on Friday will be especially interesting because Chile's new coach is Ricardo Gareca, who previously led Peru to their first World Cup in 36 years in 2018. It is intriguing to see someone who was once beloved by Peruvians now managing their biggest rivals.

The blog section on Group D (Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Costa Rica) is quite interesting. As previously stated, Vinicius Jr and the Brazilian team are aware of the challenges ahead based on their World Cup qualifying matches.

The Brazilian team has a new coach, Dorival Júnior, who arrived in January. However, there are concerns about whether they can regain their power in South American football. They will face strong competition, as winning the group may prove to be a challenge. Colombia, on the other hand, has been performing well since manager Nestor Lorenzo returned to lead the national team.

Los Cafeteros have actually been unbeaten in 23 games. Lorenzo, who was previously Jose Pekerman's assistant from 2014 to 2018, is now leading the team. Colombia achieved a third-place finish at the Centenario during that time. They have already defeated Brazil in World Cup qualifiers, which was their first victory against them in a qualifying campaign. Additionally, they have had friendly wins against Germany and Spain. Their most recent result was a 5-1 victory over the U.S. There is no doubt that they are a strong team with the potential to win a Copa América title for the first time since 2001, which remains their only title to date.

James Rodríguez, at the age of 32, continues to impress with his creativity on the field. However, the Colombian team has much more to offer than just his skills. Players like Luis Díaz from Liverpool and Jhon Arias from Fluminense showcase flair, poise, and strong defensive abilities. The upcoming match against Brazil on July 2nd in Santa Clara promises to be an exciting and intense showdown.

When it comes to electricity, let's talk about Uruguay. Led by Marcelo Bielsa, the national team is a dominating force. They are currently in second place in the qualifiers, with 13 goals scored - the highest in the tournament. They have secured four wins, including impressive 2-0 victories against Argentina and Brazil.

Uruguay is blessed with a abundance of talent, with players like Nico de la Cruz from Flamengo standing out. He plays a crucial role in the team's attacking play under the guidance of Bielsa. Luis Suárez, who now plays for Inter Miami, is also back and gearing up for his fifth Copa América appearance. Another standout performer is Darwin Núñez from Liverpool, who has impressed under Bielsa's management. His most recent achievement was scoring a hat trick in a 4-0 friendly win against Mexico, a match in which Uruguay dominated effortlessly.

Uruguay isn't concerned with keeping the ball or the way they create chances. They don't try to act better than they are with their strategy. Their focus is on having strong mental and physical control, and they are proving to be successful. Teams in their group, like the USMNT, should be extremely nervous.

The fun continues with teams like Ecuador, Paraguay, and Chile catching our eye because of their changing situations. Bolivia and Peru are also looking to turn things around in the World Cup qualifiers.

Lastly, please keep a close eye on Venezuela. They have performed exceptionally well in their qualifying matches (placing fourth, and on track to secure their first World Cup spot) and Fernando Batista has successfully coordinated them to play disciplined, courageous football.

With the return of Copa América in the United States, there is a clear recognition of the exceptional talent, diverse storylines, and passionate fan base from the Latin American community. This upcoming edition is anticipated to be a premier showcase of top-tier football.