Argentina’s football icon, Lionel Messi, continues to etch his name in football history, surpassing Brazilian legends Cafu and Roberto Carlos by leading his side to the 2024 Copa America final.
Messi guided the Albiceleste to a 2-0 victory over Canada, scoring alongside Julian Alvarez in the semifinal clash on Tuesday, July 9.
The reigning South American champions are set to face either Uruguay or Colombia on Sunday, July 14, at Miami Gardens in their quest to defend their crown.
With his 109th international goal, Messi now stands as the second-highest scorer of all time, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo, 130.
More significantly, Messi has reached the most finals with his national team, marking his seventh appearance.
This achievement surpasses the previous record held by Cafu and Carlos, who each played in six finals for Brazil — three in the World Cup and three in Copa America.
Messi’s impressive record includes five Copa America finals, overcoming a series of disappointments before securing victory in 2021. He has also featured in two World Cup finals, winning the second in 2022.
Heading into Sunday’s final, Messi aims to secure his second consecutive Copa America title and the fourth international trophy of his career with Argentina.
Despite his illustrious career, Messi seeks to break a personal barrier by scoring in a Copa America final, having been unable to find the net in his previous four appearances at this stage.
Argentina ended their trophy drought in 2021 with a 1-0 victory over Brazil, courtesy of Angel Di Maria’s goal.
However, Messi himself has yet to score in a Copa America final, making Sunday’s match a pivotal opportunity to rewrite history.
