Lionel Messi will play for Argentina on the 2019 Copa America in Brazil, consistent with Albiceleste supervisor Lionel Scaloni.
Messi made his first worldwide appearance for the reason that 2018 FIFA World Cup remaining week, however, he could not save you Argentina falling to a three-1 pleasant loss to Venezuela:
The Barcelona celeb additionally picked up groin harm, meaning he’ll no longer be to be had for Tuesday’s meeting with Morocco.
However, Scaloni has shown Messi will be a part of the squad for the summer time’s Copa America, in keeping with Reuters (h/t Football Italia):
“Leo may be in Copa America. It is clear he can be. He confirmed most will right here, and we see he may be very driven. When the fit towards Venezuela finished, we talked about the in shape, now not about what’s to come. We will see paintings to get a better crew.
“Too an awful lot dependence on Messi? We have to paintings for that no longer to occur, for each player not to be always drawn to Leo, he’s going to assist us in winning matches, that’s for sure.”
Messi, 31, had suffered disappointment in three other versions of the Copa America when Argentina misplaced inside the finals of the 2007, 2015 and 2016 tournaments.
He also got here up quick of achieving worldwide glory on the 2014 FIFA World Cup while his facet misplaced inside the very last to Germany.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has accomplished pretty much the entirety in his glittering profession, winning 32 essential honors with Barcelona.
However, a first-rate international trophy has eluded him to this point—together with his best name being a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics.
This summer time’s Copa America will be his closing chance to trade that, although there is every other version of the South American event in Colombia in 2020.
Messi in brief known as time on his extensive career after losing within the 2016 Copa America final to Chile, Argentina’s 1/3 main very last defeat in as many years.
He lower back on that event to help his USA qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
But if Argentina fails to go all of the manners in Brazil, Messi’s time at the global stage may be up.
The 2019 Copa America kicks off on June 14, and Argentina is in Group B with Colombia, Paraguay, and Qatar.
