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Luis Miguel Echegaray, ESPN
Copa América, South America’s continental competition, has started in the United States for the second time after hosting it in 2016. There are many storylines, from the World Cup champion Lionel Messi and the defending champions Argentina, the USMNT is using this as a warm-up. for the 2026 World Cup to be hosted, and Brazil is looking to rediscover its form.
As we prepare for the next few action-packed weeks from America, let’s dive deeper into some of the things to expect, including the rivals, stars and key players and why this special edition comes with so many points.
Is this Messi’s last dance?
On Monday, Messi will turn 37. It is no secret that he is in the final stages of his illustrious career. In an interview with ESPN, the Argentine talisman said that Inter Miami will be the last club he plays for. The Copa América is a chance to win the third major title in a row with Argentina and make more memories with the national team after winning the Copa 2021 and the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
But will it also be the curtain on the international stage in the main tournament? Who knows.
In fact, Messi himself is unsure about his future, including his participation in the next World Cup. “It depends on how I feel, how physical and realistic I am with myself,” he said in an interview with Infobae. “And knowing that I can do my job to be able to compete and help my teammates next to me.”
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Who is the dark horse in Copa America 2024?
Sebastian Salazar and Herculez Gomez chose the dark horse in Copa America 2024.
Speaking about defending the Copa title, Messi said, “It will be harder and harder for us – nothing is easy for us,” Messi said last week. “But we’ll try again.”
He was right. It will not be easy, because the obstacles are not only from Brazil. This was shown in the opening 2-0 win against a tough Canadian team. And as World Cup qualifiers have shown, CONMEBOL’s hierarchy is changing.
Uruguayan Marcelo Bielsa is energetic, tenacious and full of the embodiment of Garra Charrua, the country is tenacious, warrior spirit. And what about Colombia? After losing the World Cup in Qatar, there has been a transformation with it Los Cafeteros. This is a skilled, courageous, adventurous Colombian squad mixed with experience and youth, but thanks to head coach Nestor Lorenzo, they are now organized and very disciplined. He will be a force to be reckoned with.
That said, Messi & Co. entered as favorites and in terms of squad selection, head coach Lionel Scaloni has not rocked the boat — 21 of the 26 players are in Qatar in 2022. But new additions, including Manchester United teenager Alejandro Garnacho and Inter’s Valentín Carboni (on loan at Monza), show that Scaloni is ready to think about the future.
Who can give an upset?
Argentina may be the clear favourites, but there are plenty of teams that could upset them. The group includes Canada, Peru and Chile – two countries that have deep rivalry in political and cultural turmoil and on the field all out. Named Clásico del Pacífico, it is usually played with incredible aggression. Friday’s particular game will be even more exciting as Chile’s new manager is Ricardo Gareca, the former Peru manager who took the team to the World Cup in 2018 for the first time in 36 years. Today, the man adored by all Peruvians, manages the fiercest rivalry.
Group D (Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay and Costa Rica) is exciting. As mentioned earlier, Vinicius Jr and Brazil know that there is a lot to be done if World Cup qualification is to be achieved.
New coach Dorival Júnior arrived in January, but there are doubts that this Brazilian team can regain dominance in South America. La Seleçao will have a tough time from the start as winning the group could be a hurdle. And here I am back to Colombia, who have not lost a game since manager Nestor Lorenzo returned to the national team.
In fact, Los Cafeteros has not lost in 23 games. Lorenzo was Jose Pekerman’s assistant between 2014 and 2018, when Colombia also achieved third place in the Centenario. But now, Lorenzo is the man in charge and this team is real. They have beaten Brazil in World Cup qualifying (the first win against them in a qualifying campaign) as well as friendly wins against Germany and Spain. Most recently, they embarrassed the US 5-1 and this is not an exaggeration: they have all the tools to finally win the Copa América title for the first time since 2001, which is the only one so far.
James Rodríguez, at the age of 32, is still influential because of his creativity. But this side is more than that. From Liverpool’s Luis Díaz to Fluminense’s Jhon Arias, Colombia have talent, poise and defensive strength. The match against Brazil in Santa Clara on July 2, the last of the group, should be a deliciously electric affair.
Speaking of electricity, how about Uruguay? In Marcelo Bielsa, La Celeste as a force of nature. He finished second in qualifying, scoring 13 goals – more than anyone else – and four wins, including 2-0 wins over Argentina and Brazil.
Uruguay has talent to spare, like Flamengo’s Nico de la Cruz. Under Bielsa, he was a key part of the forwards. Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez is also back, ready to make his fifth Copa América. In addition, Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez has been excellent under Bielsa, most recently scoring a hat trick in a 4-0 friendly win over Mexico, a game he didn’t sweat.
Uruguay doesn’t care about possession or how they make plays. He’s not pretentious about his game plan. It’s about mental and physical control and so far, they’re delivering. Opponents in their group, including the USMNT, should be very worried.
The entertainment does not stop there as teams such as Ecuador, Paraguay and Chile will be interesting to watch due to their transitional situation. Bolívia and Peru are also hoping to change their fortunes from World Cup qualification.
Finally, you should pay attention to Venezuela. They have been excellent in their qualifying campaign (fourth, and on their way to making their first World Cup appearance) and Fernando Batista has organized and played disciplined and courageous football.
As the United States reacts to the impact and arrival of the Copa América, there is a strong reminder that due to the level of talent, the diverse storylines and the energy of the fans coming from the Latin American diaspora, this special edition promises to be a showcase of the highest level.
