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Messi Fever: The King of Soccer Returns to Defend the Copa America Title
Copa America 2024: Lionel Messi and the Scaloneta set their sights on another victory
Lionel Messi has promised to stay a little longer. After winning the World Cup in Qatar, he has decided to continue competing- and winning- with the Argentine National Team. Despite being almost 37 years old, “La Pulga” shows no signs of slowing down.
The 2024 Copa América is just about to start, beginning on June 20th and running until July 14th. With their phenomenal talent and skill on the field, the defending champion, Argentina will be fighting to keep their title, while everyone else will aim to dethrone them. The “Scaloneta” is a strong contender for winning the Cup again, especially with Messi as captain.
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This tournament will give fans another chance to watch Messi, greatly regarded as the best soccer player in the world, work his magic on the field. It has also caused speculation among many on whether Leo might participate in his sixth World Cup in 2026, though so far nothing has been confirmed.
After a successful year with Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Inter Miami, Messi is set to play his seventh Copa América. After 19 years of defending the National Team shirt, this tournament will hold even more significance for him, as the Cup will be played in the US, his country of residence.
Equally significant to that, Messi has the chance to set two personal records. If he plays just one minute in this tournament, he will beat Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone’s record of 34 Copa América games, which dates back to 1953. He also needs to make just four goals to become the all-time top scorer of the Copa América, surpassing Norberto Méndez and Zizinho, who each have 17 goals.
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Leo’s tenure as captain of Inter Miami and leading scorer has kept him in peak physical condition. During the past season, he impressively netted 14 goals and provided 11 assists throughout 15 games.
In a recent interview with Argentinian journalist, “Pollo” Álvarez, Messi expressed confidence in Argentina’s chances. He believes Argentina is always a favorite, whether it’s the World Cup, Copa América, or any other championship. He also acknowledged the abilities of other South American teams like Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, and Ecuador.
As for his possible participation in the 2026 World Cup, Leo admitted that it will depend on his physical condition and performance during this Copa América: “Age is also a reality that is there, although it is a number, the games that I am going to play are not the same as the ones I played when I was in Europe in competition, which were every three days, or in the Champions League. But it depends on how I feel and what I feel when I’m next to my teammates and see if I’m still up to par or not.”
Despite facing a leg injury that required recovery workouts in May, Messi quickly bounced back. After missing some matches for Inter Miami, he won friendly matches against Ecuador and Guatemala, showing that he’s more than prepared for the Copa América.
Messi Fever in the US
Messi’s transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami was a game-changer for both Messi on a personal level and for MLS. His arrival sparked immense excitement in the United States, much like when David Beckham joined LA Galaxy in 2007.
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Since moving to the US with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo and their children, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, Messi has built a massive fanbase. Fans follow him everywhere, waving Argentine flags and asking for photos. Leo’s influence has significantly boosted the popularity of soccer in the country while Inter Miami saw a 10% growth in its fan base in the second half of 2023. In fact, the club now ranks as the fourth most popular professional soccer team in the nation, closely following global giants like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester United.
Messi’s presence has also caused a jump in ticket prices for Inter Miami games. On Ticketmaster, they now range from $40 to $382, while the most affordable home game tickets start at $100. Resale prices on StubHub are slightly lower but still reflect high demand, ranging from $43 to $368. Fortunately, fans who can’t attend an Inter Miami game at the stadium can still watch the team through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
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Recently, Miami opened “The Messi Experience,” an immersive multimedia journey celebrating Messi’s life and career. This attraction features themed installations, interactive spaces, and training camps, offering fans a one-of-a-kind glimpse into Messi’s extraordinary journey.
As the American continents prepare for Copa América 2024, it will prove to be a pivotal moment the future of Messi’s soccer career. Will this be his last championship? Can Argentina defend its title? But one thing is clear- “La Pulga” will continue to fascinate and inspire fans, both on and off the field.
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