It wаs expected thаt Messi wоuld stаrt fоr аrgentinа versus Cаnаdа. The eight-time Bаllоn d’оr winner mаde а recоrd-breаking 35 аppeаrаnces аt the Cоpа аmericа while weаring his bооts.

Since making his Copa America debut in 2007, Messi has eclipsed 34-year-old Chilean goalie Sergio Livingstone to hold the record for most appearances at the region’s premier competition. The record has been held by Livingstone since 1953, or 71 years ago.

Additionally, Messi became the player with the most assists in the Copa America, with 17, after setting up a goal for Lautaro Martinez against Canada. The 36-year-old superstar’s first assist came in Copa America 2011, and it’s interesting to note that the player who has assisted the second most in Copa America history has only stopped five times, behind Messi.The two players with the second-highest assists total in the Copa America are Alexis Sanchez of Chile and Angel Di Maria of Argentina, but their combined total is just five, three times less than that of Messi. Messi is amazing, in fact.

Messi stated following Argentina’s victory over Canada: “We anticipated it would be a tough game, very tense. There wasn’t much room in the first part. Fortunately, we scored the goal early in the second half, but the opposition got stronger. We possessed sufficient patience to control the ball and navigate between the two wings. When playing against us, most opponents play differently, so we had to maintain composure.”