- The reigning champions have some huge names who could be coming to the United States for this year's tournament.
- Argentina will open the tournament against Canada on June 20 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
As Group A’s number 1 seed, champions of CONMEBOL Copa América 2021™ and the FIFA World Cup in 2022, Argentina will arrive in the United States with established figures at both the national and club levels. Among them, the following stand out:
Lionel Messi
Born in Rosario on June 24, 1987, he made his debut for the national team in 2005 at just 18 years old. Left-footed and skillful, he is considered one of the greatest players in history. He has won eight Ballon d'Or awards (given to the best player in the world that year) and holds significant records for the Argentine National Team, such as being the all-time leading scorer and the player with the most appearances. During this CONMEBOL Copa América™, he could break two more records: most appearances and top scorer in the oldest national team tournament in the world.
He has played in five World Cups and had the pleasure of winning it in the last edition in 2022. Messi has participated in CONMEBOL Copa América™ six times and, after reaching three finals without clinching the title (2007, 2015, and 2016), he finally won it in 2021.
At the club level, he shone for over 15 years at Barcelona in Spain, where he won 35 titles - including four Champions League titles - and was one of the standout figures, alongside Iniesta and Xavi, in Pep Guardiola's team that captivated the world.
He then moved to Paris Saint-Germain, where he played for two years and won three titles.
In 2023, he signed with Inter Miami, revolutionizing Major League Soccer. He has already won the Leagues Cup.
Emiliano Martínez
Born on September 2, 1992, in Mar del Plata, Martinez was a goalkeeper who had not yet debuted for Independiente when he was sold to the mighty Arsenal in England. He had loan spells with several teams in England and also with Getafe. He joined Aston Villa in 2020, where he found regular playing time, earning himself a call-up to the national team.
He made his debut against Chile during World Cup qualifiers in 2021. Just 10 days before the CONMEBOL Copa América 2021™, where he would emerge as a hero in the penalty shootout against Colombia (in the semifinals) and be chosen as the tournament's best goalkeeper.
Just a year later, "Dibu" would once again be crucial for the Albiceleste in winning the FIFA World Cup with great performances in penalty shootouts against the Netherlands (quarter-finals) and France (final). He saved two penalties in the first and one in the second.
Ángel di María
This CONMEBOL Copa América United States 2024™ will be the last for one of the most important players in Argentina’s history. "Fideo," born in Rosario on February 14, 1988, made his debut for Argentina in 2008.
He was part of a great generation, along with Messi and many others, that reached the finals of tournaments but couldn't win them. Di María fought hard and ended up scoring the winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Brazil to help Argentina win the CONMEBOL Copa América 2021™ and end a 28-year title drought.
He also won the Finalíssima and the FIFA World Cup, both in 2022, and scored goals in both finals. Previously, he had won the Olympic gold in 2008 alongside Messi.
His club career boasts 28 titles, including the Champions League, and includes stints at powerful clubs: Rosario Central, Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus.
Photos: AFP, CONMEBOL Copa América and AFA
