Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni encourages fans to enjoy the achievements of Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria at Copa America 2024, because this may be the last tournament with the participation of this duo.

The defending Copa America champions will begin their defense of their crown in their opening match against Canada on Friday morning in Atlanta. If they continue to win the championship in the US, Argentina will become the first South American team to win three major tournaments in a row, after lifting the World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022.

Speaking before the match with Canada, coach Scaloni said: “We have tried to have a process together in the national team. In addition to the titles, we have enjoyed a lot of interesting things. It’s true.” Happy to see the players training and competing, how they express themselves. I’m not worried about the future of Messi and Di Maria.

It’s pointless to think about when they’ll retire. Enjoy what they’re doing now and we’ll see what happens later. Messi is fine, he’s happy. Defending the title is an interesting challenge.”

With a place in the starting line-up assured, barring any health issues, Messi will break the record for most appearances in the Copa America, with 34, since the tournament’s inception in 2007. Di Maria, meanwhile, has 23 Copa America appearances to his name. The two players have been integral to the squad that led La Albiceleste to the 2021 Copa America title.

This will likely be the last Copa America for both Messi and Di Maria

Although Di Maria has announced his retirement from the national team after this year’s Copa America, Messi’s future with the national team remains unclear. The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Before the opening match against Canada, coach Scaloni predicted that this would be a difficult match and said that Argentina did not underestimate his colleague Jesse Marsch when he led his young team to compete for the first time in a tournament. internationally since being appointed head coach of Canada.

“Canada is a really good team, they have many quality players. They have a new coach who brings new ideas. They are a difficult opponent, anyone who thinks it will be easy is wrong. We are mentally prepared.” to play against them. Canada is a difficult opponent, and this is the first match of the tournament,” coach Scaloni said.

The Argentine also did not reveal his starting lineup for the opening game, although he said he had a clear idea of ​​​​the lineup: “All the players are ready for tomorrow and we decide who will play depending on what is best for the team at the moment. I have no doubts about the starting 11, but I will tell my players in advance. They do not know that yet.”