Lionel Messi became the player with the most appearances in Copa America history when he appeared in the Argentina squad to play in the match against Canada.
On the morning of June 21 (Vietnam time), Copa America 2024 officially opened with the first match between Argentina and Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia (USA). By appearing in the defending champions’ squad, Lionel Messi has become the player with the most appearances in Copa America history.
Accordingly, El Pulga officially appeared for Argentina in 35 matches in 7 Copa America periods. The former Barcelona superstar played his first Copa America match when he was just 20 years old. At this playground, with Argentina Messi has won the championship once in 2021, finished second three times in 2007, 2015, and 2016, and finished third once in 2019. Achievements M10’s lowest point at Copa America was in 2011 when he and Argentina only reached the quarterfinals.
Returning to the match against Canada on the morning of June 21, after a somewhat deadlocked first half, Argentina scored the opening goal in the 49th minute thanks to Alvarez. Messi was the one who made a delicate pass for Mac Allister to enter the penalty area, forcing goalkeeper Crepeau to rush out to block. The ball bounced out and the Man City striker took the opportunity to kick a cushion into the empty net.
After the opening goal, Argentina continued to attack. 1 star Lionel Messi had two consecutive dangerous opportunities in front of Canada’s goal but could not succeed. However, the star playing for Inter Miami continued to contribute to the goal that doubled the gap in the 88th minute when he had a pass for second-half substitute Lautaro Martinez to escape and shoot into Canada’s net.
That was also the goal that set the score in this match. Argentina and Messi have had a good start in their journey to defend the Copa America championship.