Lionel Messi commented on Argentina’s 2-0 win vs. Canada at the Copa America.
Messi had an assist in Argentina’s 2-0 win vs. Canada in the Copa America opener. Messi spoke to the media after the match. Here is what he had to say:
“We knew it was going to be a tough match, very physical, in the first half there was little space. Luckily we found the goal quickly in the second half, but it was still complicated”.
“We have the patience to have the ball, to move it from one side to the other. Most opponents play differently against us, we have to stay in control.”
He became the player with the most appearances in the history of the world’s oldest national team tournament.
He surpassed the historic Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone, who had set the record in 1953.
On June 20, 2024, Lionel Messi became the player with the most appearances in the history of CONMEBOL Copa América™: when he appeared in the match against Canada, the Argentine reached 35 matches across seven editions of the tournament.
The number 10 started for the Argentine national team in the opening match of the 48th edition of the tournament, against Canada at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Messi made his debut in the CONMEBOL Copa América™ at 20 years old, when he was called up by Alfio Basile. Sergio Batista (2011), Gerardo Martino (2015 and 2016), and Lionel Scaloni (2019, 2021, and 2024) were the other coaches he had in this tournament.
In the six previous editions, Messi achieved one title (2021), three runner-up finishes (2007, 2015, and 2016), a third place (2019), and in 2011, he reached the quarterfinals.
Matches and goals by tournament
Venezuela 2007: six matches, two goals.
Argentina 2011: four matches, no goals.
Chile 2015: six matches, one goal.
United States 2016: five matches, five goals.
Brazil 2019: six matches, one goal.
Brazil 2021: seven matches, four goals.
United States 2024 (ongoing): 1 match
Total: 35 matches, 13 goals
CONMEBOL / Opta
-The Argentine played his 35th match in the world’s oldest national team tournament.
-He is playing in his seventh edition.
Lionel Messi became the player with the most appearances (35) in the history of the CONMEBOL Copa América™ this Thursday . At 36 years old and at his seventh edition of the world’s oldest national team tournament, the player from Rosario had a great match against Canada.
The number 10 had 6 shots (more than any other player in the match), four of them inside the box and three on target. He also completed 9 touches in the box and created two goal-scoring chances.
Messi had two ball recoveries in the final third of the field and won possession 3 times against Canada.
Regarding the world champion’s passing matrix, Rodrigo de Paul (7) and MacAllister (6) were at the top. Further back, he connected four times with Lo Celso, Paredes, and Acuña (4).
Messi also had an assist in Lautaro Martinez’ goal against Canada.
Another statistic that had Messi as the best in the match was passes in the final third: the number 10 completed 27 out of the 132 achieved by Argentina. Di María and De Paul followed with 18 each.