Argentina are going to kick off their Copa America campaign in the next few hours. Can Messi finally guide Albiceleste to an international title?

Messi's heartbreaks
2007 – lost 3-0 to Brazil in the final
2011 – lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals
2015 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final
2016 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final
Once more into the house of pain that is the Copa America for Lionel Messi. Probably the greatest footballer of his generation, and certainly the finest from his continent, makes his fifth attempt at it over the next three weeks. Given he will turn 32 during the tournament, Messi must wonder if it will be his last.
For Argentinians, the fact of Messi leading the country in Brazil at all is a sort of bonus. After the Copa America Centenario in the United States three summers ago, something seemed to have broken. After a final that ended with Argentina beaten on penalties, Messi announced he would be retiring from internationals. “I think it is best for everyone,” he said, prompting a noisy public - and successful - campaign to persuade him that he was wrong to imagine he knew what was best for everyone.
An Argentina without Messi is no good for FIFA, nor for Conmebol, the South American game's governing body, and there is palpable relief among the patrons of the 2019 edition that, deprived of Neymar because of injury, this Copa still has as its figurehead the five-time winner of the Ballon d'Or. And it might just be good for Messi too. It could be the vehicle to deliver Messi his sixth Ballon d'Or, if he can break the apparent curse the tournament has haunted him with for the last 12 years.

From breakout star to captain
The story of Messi and the Copa began in 2007, the summer he turned 20 and a year after he had won his first Champions League title at Barcelona. He had by then experienced, with Argentina, the first of many disappointments via spot-kick, elimination at the quarter-final stage of a World Cup. But the 2007 Copa seemed to be bending his way: It featured Argentina waltzing to the final with 16 goals in their first five matches, Messi's delicate chip against Mexico in the semi the best of them. Come the final, though, Argentina would be crushed, beaten 3-0 by Brazil.
By the 2011 Copa, expectation had grown again. Messi had won two Ballon d'Ors and was heading for a third on the trot. His country were hosting the South American showpiece. They had removed Diego Maradona as manager after an anarchic period in charge and had, in Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez and Angel Di Maria, a breadth of attacking talent perhaps unmatched in international football. What could go wrong? Plenty. They lost to Uruguay in the quarter-finals, on penalties.
And so a pattern was set, and brutally repeated in the replica Copa finals of 2015, in Chile, and in 2016 in the bespoke Centenary edition of the tournament. Argentina, losing finalists at the 2014 World Cup, reached the final of the Copa two years running; both times Messi finished the captain of the runners-up, after losses on penalties to Chile. “After four finals,” he said, “not to be champion hurts.”
This time around, expectations are genuinely muted. In part that's because Brazil are hosts and favourites. In part it's because of the long history of failure: Argentina have not won a senior men's tournament since 1993, so the blank record has been with them twice as long as Messi has been part of the team.
In part it's because only 12 months ago, a disastrous World Cup campaign - four games, one win, several mutinies - was fracturing morale once again, and leading to the dismissal of the seventh different manager in 10 years.
New start
The new boss, on a short contract, is the former international defender, Lionel Scaloni, who reached an agreement with Messi that the player could take some time off earlier in the season, to focus solely on his work with Barcelona, and return to Argentina duty in the spring. His club appreciated it, to the tune of 51 goals across competitions and yet more evidence that Barca's reliance on Messi is as needy as Argentina's.
Scaloni has no radical ideas about who might best partner his captain to maximize his effectiveness, and, even if he did, Messi's approval would be sought. The likelihood is that two old allies, Aguero and Di Maria, will start alongside the captain for Saturday's opening fixture against Colombia.
Aguero has just won a league title with Manchester City, Di Maria the same with Paris Saint-Germain and Messi likewise with Barcelona. "The Magic Trio", they are being dubbed at home. The first conjuring trick required of them is to forget what previous Copas have inflicted on them.
How will the Barcelona talisman finish with Argentina this year?
ChinaedumUkaobasi
468
I know Messi will win the Copa America and I have faith in Messi because he always delivers for his teams. This Copa America will be difficult and challenging for Messi but he will handle the pressure. If he wants to win the Copa America, he will need a LOT of help from his Argentine teammates 'cause it's not always going to be him doing all the work for his team. Good luck to Argentina and Messi, I hope they win the Copa America.
DhanyaDinesh
343
Most of the people say Messi can't get a Trophy with his born-Nation..... But most of them forget about contributions made by him... He made his team into three finels but they fell in the last stage... Most of the people think Messi as a reason for losing in copa finels against chile but truth is that he made that team to finels... Personally I am a Brazil fan but I respect Messi and feel that his career shound not end without a national trophy.... I wish best of luck for him and his team...
Tasbcknprt
201
Now, Argentina’s squad for the tournament is solid. There aren’t too many problems in the team and they have the potential to go on and win it. All that needs to be done is that they have to make sure that they play as a team, and not just players who give Messi the ball and hope for the best. Use Aguero and Di Maria as much as possible. And for gods sake play Dybala. Right-mid or left-mid he’ll do bits. Messi has played years being the most incredible footballer to ever grace the pitch. And he’s had nothing but bad luck with Argentina. Give him a trophy to show Pele and Maradona that Messi, is the real GOAT.
Jacadelmt
127
When i was 3 or 4 years old our family couldn't afford to buy a television set so my mom and dad went to our neighbors house to watch the Fifa worldcup along with me and i still remember my mom and dad were heartbroken when Argentina were out of the worldcup,they are such a huge fan of Argentina and from that day i became a huge fan of Argentina.... I am one of the greatest fan of Messi because of Argentina and i have been waiting for long to witnessed A victory for Argentina in the COpa or the worldcup.. it's my dream that i have been rooting for since i was a little kid... And today i am begging and praying to the almighty lord to help Messi and Argentina to win a title.. Please lord please let Argentina win the Copa America this time.
JensonTa
126
only one thing. As in the beginning 10 yrs ago often comments why Argentina got best Messi why he's so difference from Madonna. it's difference position. So when I comments reader's no happy. I said Messi need more assist no solo. Player's also want scoring. Maradonna also often assist when initially been mark. OK I watch this Copa Messi play had change difference tactic from Barcelona . Hopefully Messi keep on continue like that for sure will win the TITLE....Ronaldo their player's know his style of playing can combine. I hope Argentina's forward can.amiably put their heart into country workout envy of each others
dnshaheer
101
There are some fans who wants Brazil to win Copa America, some wants Chile to win it, some wants Uruguay and Colombia to win, even there are some fans who wants Argentina to win..... But there are aome true Football fans, irrespective of any team they want MESSI to win it.... It not just because they love him.... Its because of this man's determination and dedication towards this game.... Even some of us cant even accept a single failure, losing three finals in a big stage is never been an easy task.... Now if he wins the title, i wanna see who else talk about him.... Win or lose.... #MESSI FOR EVER....
LeFernandez
52
Ronaldo is lucky that he lifted an international trophy Neymar is lucky that he lifted international trophy Suarez is also lucky that he lifted an international trophy But an international trophy is unlucky not have been lifted by MESSI
Yiaacipt
9
I know Messi will win the Copa America and I have faith in Messi because he always delivers for his teams. This Copa America will be difficult and challenging for Messi but he will handle the pressure. If he wants to win the Copa America, he will need a LOT of help from his Argentine teammates 'cause it's not always going to be him doing all the work for his team. Good luck to Argentina and Messi, I hope they win the Copa America.
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Apart from barceloner, how many teams has Messi delivered bro..??