Football

The Copa America 2024, the prestigious football tournament of the Americas, will make its second venture outside South America, with the United States hosting the 48th edition from June 21 to July 15.Defending champions Argentina, led by the legendary Lionel Messi, will kick off the tournament against debutants Canada at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The tournament will feature 16 top teams from the Americas, divided into four groups.Group A consists of Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Canada; Group B includes Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Jamaica; Group C features the United States, Uruguay, Panama, and Bolivia; and Group D comprises Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Costa Rica.The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, with the final scheduled to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on July 15. Fourteen stadiums across the US will host the matches.Uruguay, the joint-most successful team in Copa America history with 15 titles, will be looking to Federico Valverde and Darwin Nunez to guide them to their first title since 2011. Brazil, the nine-time champions, will aim to avenge their loss to Argentina in the last final, with Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Endrick leading their charge.Colombia, with James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz in their ranks, will also be a contender for the title. The tournament promises thrilling matches and intense rivalries, with the best football teams from the Americas vying for the coveted trophy.

Copa America 2023: Argentina Aim for Continental Glory Amidst Messi's Farewell TourThe 108-year-old Copa America kicks off on Thursday in the United States, with world champions Argentina seeking their second continental title in what could be Lionel Messi's final appearance in the tournament.Argentina, 15-time Copa America winners, have assembled a squad largely unchanged from their World Cup-winning team. Veterans Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi are likely making their final major tournament appearances.Messi, now 36, has yet to decide if he will participate in a record sixth World Cup in 2026. However, he is determined to make the most of this Copa America, having won it only once in 2021.Argentina face Canada, Chile, and Peru in Group A. However, they anticipate stiff competition in the knockout stages, with Brazil and Uruguay emerging as the primary challengers.Brazil, despite recent struggles in World Cup qualifiers, boast a talented squad led by Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. Uruguay, under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa, have impressed with recent victories over Argentina and Brazil.Colombia, unbeaten in over two years, pose a threat with Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez in their ranks. The United States, hosting the tournament for the second time, hope to generate excitement after a disappointing World Cup performance.The Copa America 2023 promises to be a captivating spectacle, showcasing the best of South American football and providing a glimpse of the future stars of the game.

The Copa America, South America's premier international football tournament, is set to return in 2024 with a captivating lineup of teams and a rich history. The tournament will feature 16 nations, including 10 from the CONMEBOL confederation and 6 from the CONCACAF confederation.Argentina and Uruguay stand as the most successful teams in Copa America history, each having won the championship 15 times. However, the tournament has also witnessed the rise of other formidable teams, such as Brazil, Chile, and Colombia.In the 2024 edition, two countries from CONMEBOL, Ecuador and Venezuela, will be aiming to break their Copa America title droughts. Ecuador has never won the tournament, while Venezuela's best result was a fourth-place finish in 2011.Canada, a member of the CONCACAF confederation, will make its debut in the Copa America in 2024. The Canadians will be eager to prove their mettle against the best teams in South America.Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine forward, holds the record for the most appearances in Copa America history. He has played in 16 matches, scoring 13 goals and providing 11 assists.The 1959 Copa America holds a unique distinction as the only edition to have been played twice. Argentina and Ecuador hosted the tournament in different years, with Argentina emerging victorious on both occasions.In 1987, Carlos Valderrama of Colombia became the first player to receive the official Best Player of the Tournament award. Since then, the award has been given to some of the most iconic players in South American football, including Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and Neymar.Dunga of Brazil holds the unique distinction of winning the Copa America both as a player and a coach. He led Brazil to victory in 1989 and 1997 as a player, and again in 2007 as a coach.The 2024 Copa America promises to be an unforgettable spectacle, showcasing the passion, skill, and rivalry that have made South American football so beloved around the world.

Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer, has announced that he will not participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics. In an interview with ESPN, Messi explained that his decision was based on his age and the demanding schedule of the upcoming Copa America and World Cup.Messi, who turns 37 in June, acknowledged that his age is a factor in his decision. "At my age, I don't want to play everything and I need to make the right choices," he said. The Copa America, which will be held in the United States from June 20 to July 14, will be a major test for Argentina, and Messi wants to focus on that tournament.The Olympics, which start on July 26, would have been a significant challenge for Messi, who has already won a gold medal with Argentina in 2008. However, the tight schedule between the Copa America and the Olympics would have put a strain on his body."It's a difficult moment, because there's the Copa America, and that would mean two or three consecutive months away from my club," Messi said. "I need to make the right choices."Messi's decision not to participate in the Olympics does not mean that he is retiring from international football. He has expressed his desire to play in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico."I won't take part in a World Cup just to say I've done six," Messi said. "If I feel good and everything is in place for me to be there, fine, but I won't go just to go."Messi's decision is a blow to Argentina's Olympic hopes, but it is understandable given his age and the demanding schedule of the upcoming tournaments. The Argentine legend will continue to focus on his club career with Inter Miami and on leading his country to success in the Copa America and the World Cup.

Argentina's Copa America preparations got off to a winning start as they edged past Ecuador 1-0 in a friendly encounter in Chicago. Angel Di Maria, donning the captain's armband in Lionel Messi's absence, proved to be the match-winner, scoring the solitary goal in the 40th minute.The game began with both teams showing attacking intent, but it was Argentina who took the lead through a moment of brilliance. Rodrigo De Paul's incisive pass found Cristian Romero in an advanced position, and the Tottenham defender executed a superb reverse pass to Di Maria. The veteran winger made no mistake, slotting the ball past Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez.Ecuador responded well to the setback and created several chances of their own. However, Argentina's defense, marshaled by Nicolas Otamendi and Lisandro Martinez, stood firm. Di Maria made way for Messi in the 56th minute, but the Inter Miami star was unable to add to the scoreline.Argentina continued to dominate possession but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. Ecuador, on the other hand, showed glimpses of their attacking potential, but their finishing let them down. The game ended 1-0, giving Argentina a morale-boosting victory ahead of the Copa America.The reigning world champions will face Guatemala in their final friendly before the tournament kicks off on June 20. They will be looking to build on their performance against Ecuador and fine-tune their preparations for the defense of their Copa America crown.

Argentina, the reigning World Cup and Copa America champions, have announced their 29-man squad for upcoming friendly matches against Ecuador and Guatemala. The team, led by captain Lionel Messi, will use these matches as preparation for the Copa America tournament, which will be held in the United States from June 20 to July 14.The squad includes 22 of the 26 players who won the World Cup in Qatar, including Messi, Angel Di Maria, and Rodrigo De Paul. Notable absentees include Paulo Dybala, Juan Foyth, and Thiago Almada.Argentina will face Ecuador on June 9 at Chicago's Soldier Field and Guatemala on June 14 at Landover, Maryland. These matches will provide valuable experience for the team as they prepare for the Copa America, where they will be aiming to defend their title.In the Copa America, Argentina will open their campaign against Canada or Trinidad and Tobago on June 20 in Atlanta. They will then face Chile on June 25 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Peru on June 29 in Miami Gardens, Florida.Argentina is the most successful team in Copa America history, having won the tournament 15 times. They will be looking to add to their tally and cement their status as the dominant force in South American football.

Cesar Luis Menotti, the legendary Argentine coach who guided his nation to their maiden World Cup triumph in 1978, has passed away at the age of 85. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced the sad news on Sunday, expressing their profound sorrow at the loss of a true football icon.Menotti's coaching career spanned 37 years, during which he managed 11 clubs and two national teams, Argentina and Mexico. However, his legacy will forever be intertwined with the 1978 World Cup, held on home soil during a tumultuous period in Argentina's history.Despite the political turmoil, Menotti's Argentina team emerged victorious, defeating the Netherlands 3-1 in extra time in the final. The tournament was marked by the brilliance of Mario Kempes, who scored twice in the final, and the absence of Johan Cruyff, who had boycotted the World Cup.Menotti's decision not to select the teenage prodigy Diego Maradona, who had made his international debut the previous year, remains a topic of debate. However, his tactical acumen and ability to inspire his players were undeniable.After his World Cup triumph, Menotti continued to coach at the highest level, including a stint with Spanish giants Barcelona. He also had a successful spell with the Mexican national team, where he is fondly remembered for his contributions to the development of Mexican football.Menotti's passing has been met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from the football world. Argentine President Javier Milei expressed his "deep pain" at the loss of a leader who had brought immense joy to the nation. Former Mexican international Carlos Hermosillo hailed Menotti as a "teacher of teachers" and credited him with his success as a goal scorer.Spanish journalist Jose Ramon Fernandez, who worked alongside Menotti as a broadcast analyst, praised his intelligence, erudition, and pleasant demeanor. Barcelona also extended their condolences, acknowledging Menotti's contributions as their former coach.Cesar Luis Menotti's legacy as a football visionary and a master tactician will endure for generations to come. His impact on the game, both in Argentina and beyond, is immeasurable.