Argentina are the favorites to win the Copa America 2024. The main reason behind this is the presence of G.O.A.T. Lionel Messi in the Argentina’s squad. This will be Messi’s last Copa America, therefore his fans are praying that he lifts the trophy again this time. Argentina won the trophy in 2021 after defeating Brazil in the penalties. Let’s see why Argentina are the favorites to win the Copa America 2024.
Lionel Scaloni’s men will try hard to break their losing streak in style. The 43-year-old coach has an interesting set of players at his disposal such as Lautaro Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul, and of course, Lionel Messi in Argentina squad for Copa America 2024.
The following are the reasons as to Why Argentina are the favorites to win the Copa America 2024 :
Farewell title for Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the greatest football player in the world. He has proved himself by winning almost every major trophy and individual awards with Barcelona. Messi also won the 2022 Fifa World Cup recently. Messi will be hoping to reach the greatest spot before retiring with the national team by winning the Copa America. It would be the perfect time for the GOAT to retire. The Argentinian forward is the main reason for Argentina being the fans favorite to win the Copa America 2024.
Tribute to Diego Maradona
The Argentina players and coaches paid tribute to Diego Maradona in a statue unveiling ceremony before their World Cup qualifier against Chile. The statue depicts a defiant Maradona, hand on his waist and a ball at his feet. An inscription on it reads “Diego Maradona, 1960-2020” and a symbol representing infinity. The best tribute that Argentina can give to Diego Maradona is to win Copa America 2024 this time. It would be perfect to dedicate this trophy to the greatest footballer of Argentina.
Neutralize the previous final losses
Copa America 2024 could be an opportunity to make amends for Argentina’s three final losses in the final of Copa America editions of 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Argentina reached to final of FIFA World Cup 2014. They were the favorites to win the trophy. But in the final minutes a goal from Mario Gotze shattered the dreams of Argentina. Messi won the golden ball of the tournament.
Argentina made to the decider of the 2015 Copa America. Unfortunately, they lost on penalties to hosts, Chile. In the 2016 Copa America Centenario, they lost on penalties to Chile once again in the final, with Messi, who scored his spot-kick the previous year, missing from 12 yards.
Argentina squad for Copa America 2024 has the potential to lock horns for the trophy. Therefore, if Argentina wins the trophy this time, it will give some relief to the pain of previous final losses.
Ballon d’or for Lionel Messi
The race for the Ballon d’Or award is heating up. With a rise of competition in all the major domestic leagues and European competitions like the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, the focus will now shift to Copa America 2024 and EURO 2024.
Lionel Messi has a great beginning in this season with Inter Miami. The performance of any player in the international tournament will affect his Ballon d’Or ratings to a great extent. Messi will not get another chance to win a major international trophy. Doing so would put him right in the mix for another Ballon d’Or.
Young Talent in Argentina Squad
The Argentina squad for Copa America 2024 is packed with young talents as well as experienced and versatile players. This time they can find a fluid combination of stars that can take the team to the pinnacle of the sport. The likes of Giovani Lo Celso, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Juan Foyth and Nicolas Tagliafico have the potential to win World Cup.
Messi’s last Copa America
For Messi, there is extra significance to this tournament, even though it is not being played in his homeland as he might have hoped. He will turn 36 during the Copa America, so it will be his last chance of achieving the title. This edition at USA will be Messi’s last run at the Copa America. The best thing to happen in the football world is that Messi wins his final international tournament with Argentina. That would be best farewell for a player like him.
