Here’s a list of every participation of Lionel Messi in previous instances of the soccer tournament of the Americas, and how his victories and defeats helped clear the way for an inspiring redemption arch.
Numerologists and traveling talkers alike consider seven to be one of the most tantalizing numbers. So it can only be expected that a conjunction between the numbers 7 and 10 will be a memorable event. Because this year, the iconic Lionel Messi, the Argentinian soccer player who bears the number 10 on his jersey, is participating in the Copa America for the seventh time. With studies showing that 48% of soccer fans believe in superstitions, the time seems right to listen to omens.
The player has led the Argentinian national team to victory in the last two international tournaments: Copa America 2021 and FIFA World Cup 2022. With this background, few would argue that Messi is at the apex of his career. Even AI predicts that Argentina has a 50.5% chance of getting into Copa America’s final and a 30.8% chance of winning it.
But the road to success has not been an easy one, and before winning the tournament of the Americas in 2021, Lionel Messi, as heroes usually do, had to face difficult and frustrating events. But — spoiler alert — the story has a happy ending. Here is a list of every participation of Lionel Messi in previous instances of Copa America.
Which national teams play the Copa America?
The Copa America, sometimes spelled Copa América, is played by South American national teams primarily, including Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, and other South American nations. However, the organizing body, known as CONMEBOL — the counterpart to the UEFA or CONCACAF, but for South America — frequently invites national teams from other parts of the globe to play in the tournament. That’s why the United States or Mexico are regular participants, and it’s also why Messi has clashed against the likes of Qatar during this tournament, one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world of soccer.
Messi participation in Copa América Venezuela 2007
The first time Lionel Messi participated in Copa América was in 2007, in the South American country of Venezuela. Being only 20 years old, he was already considered a great asset to the European team Barcelona. He would finish in the third place for the Ballon d’Or that year, only behind Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Under the lead of the Argentinian team captain Roberto Ayala, and playing next to other soccer superstars like Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tévez, Messi had a pretty solid performance in the tournament. He made one goal assist in the group phase and scored one goal in the quarter-finals — against Peru — and an absolute screamer in the semifinals against Mexico.
Argentina reached the finals, but lost 3-0 against Brazil. The scratch — one of the nicknames for the Brazil national team — would come back as a Final Boss again, although in different circumstances. But there is still a long path to reach that part of the story.
Source: Ole.com
Messi participation in Copa América Argentina 2011
The second participation of Lionel Messi in the Copa América was marked by a less effective performance. The stakes were high, as the team was expected to accomplish great results, with the tournament being played in their home country. Plus, the team had recently had a frustrating elimination in FIFA World Cup 2010, where it was eliminated in the quarterfinals, so fans were waiting for a good redemption story. Messi was already considered the greatest player alive by that time, and had just won the UEFA Champions League by overpowering a very solid Manchester United side.
In this edition, Argentina managed to get through the group phase, though fans were not happy with their performance, and even sang chants in favor of Diego Maradona, the late player who was always considered Messi’s main competitor in becoming the best Argentinian soccer player in history.
Despite the team losing in the quarter-finals against Uruguay, greatness could not escape from Messi’s reach. He was chosen as the best player of Argentina’s first match — against Bolivia — and became the player with the most assists of the tournament, alongside Brazilian Paulo Henrique Ganso.
Messi participation in Copa América Chile 2015
This edition of Copa América was marked by two milestones in Lionel Messi’s career: his first participation in Copa América as team captain, and his hundredth match with the Argentina national team, in the encounter against Jamaica in the group phase. He was the youngest Argentinian player to reach that distinction.
The team had had a great participation in the FIFA World Cup the previous year, reaching the final. Hopes were high, and the team and Messi alike lived up to them. Messi scored one goal and made three assists.
Argentina had a whooping victory in the semifinals against Paraguay, a match that ended 6-1, and reached the final against Chile. The host country took the trophy in the end, but only after a tight fight with Messi’s team, which had to be fought out by penalties.
Source: Emol.com
Messi participation in Copa América Centenario 2016
This special edition of Copa América was hosted in the United States and was a celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the tournament, which had begun in 1916.
Messi’s participation was top-notch. He scored five goals during the tournament — reaching his 55th goal for the Argentinian team — and dethroned Gabriel Batistuta as the top Argentinian scorer in history. He led this team to the final, but Chile, once again, took home the trophy.
Every hero's journey includes a period of darkness and self-doubt. This was Messi’s turn to suffer from tribulations. After the lost match, he resigned from the Argentina national team. He and his team had reached three consecutive finals — two in Copa América and one in the World Cup 2014 — but were unable to win any. For the determined-to-win player, it was not enough. He claimed that, after multiple attempts, he found it incredibly demotivating not to take any trophy home.
That moment seemed like the end of the story for Messi. Thankfully, he changed his mind about a month later and decided not to give up and keep trying.
Messi participation in Copa América Brazil 2019
Despite not being considered a candidate to win this edition of Copa América — mainly because of its performance in the World Cup the previous year, in which it got eliminated in the round of 16 — the Argentinian team got to third place.
Messi led his teammates all the way to the semifinals, but Brazil won the match, and ultimately became the champion. Luckily for Lionel, a rematch would come next year, and Argentina would have a chance to prove itself against its all-time rival.
Messi participation in Copa América Brazil 2021
And when the time was right, the stars aligned and Messi and the Argentinian team finally got their long-deserved victory. With Lionel Scaloni as the new coach, and with new faces on the team such as the brilliant goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, their performance was first-rate.
Messi, at that time 34 years old, did a wonderful job as captain, uniting the team and being a role model for new and old players alike. He broke many records among the Argentina Team, such as becoming the player with the most matches played, surpassing his ex-teammate Javier Mascherano.
In the end, the showdown was against Brazil, and Argentina were at last able to beat them in a final encounter, granting Lionel Messi his first international championship.
Source: BBC.com
Messi participation in Copa América USA 2024
After that victory, a long series of glorious events followed for Messi and his team. Argentina won the FIFA World Cup in 2022, and is a candidate for Copa América 2024. The team gained worldwide fame for being deeply united and for its talents on the field.
Some are worrying about how much time we have before soccer’s utmost superstar retires, as he is now 37 years old. But one thing is sure: Messi’s legacy continues, whether on the field or outside of it.
Sustainability is the next stage that Messi is working on
Only time can tell what the Argentinian icon will do after his concluding soccer match. But, just like many other athletes, Messi has already made his legacy even more important, by taking action to fight one of the most difficult challenges of our present and future: climate change.
To address this urgent challenge, Messi has collaborated with Join The Planet to create a sustainable piece of memorabilia that fans can take home, not only to own a small piece of the hero’s legacy but to also contribute to sustainability efforts. Alongside the organization, Messi has participated in the design of the Genesis Edition Boot.
Source: Jointheplanet.earth
This exclusive shoe is a replica of Lionel Messi’s iconic left boot, the same that has granted him so many victories and records over time. It is made of plastic waste and fishing nets recovered from rivers and oceans in different parts of the world, such as Thailand, China, and Indonesia. The texture of this authentic, limited-time boot resembles the waves and blue waters you can help protect by buying one: every shoe is made up of more than 4 lbs of recycled plastic. Furthermore: a part of the profit is used to support ecosystem-restoring programs.
Participate in Messi’s project by buying his collectable shoes
Because this boot is part of an official partnership with Messi himself, the design also displays a replica of his signature and comes with a digital certificate that registers the buyer as its legitimate owner. It is an authentic yet affordable way of celebrating his legacy and being part of his story, and also contributing to the causes in which he believes.
Some cleats are great for playing the game, getting muddy on the field, and scoring goals. In the case of the Genesis Edition boot, the design is so exclusive that wearing it seems almost like a crime. Maybe, this piece of Messi’s legacy is better at being looked at. But it is still a great way of celebrating the past victories — and the accolades yet to come — of Lionel Messi. You can buy the ornamental shoes the on our website.
Buy the Join The Planet signed collectible boot by Leo Messi now!