Lionel Messi’s smile upon arriving in Atlanta, the venue for the Copa América debut :: Olé

Landed, Argentina. Waiting for a new takeoff towards the first place on the podium to begin on Thursday. Now with the 26 footballers who will make up the staff that will seek the two-time championship, The National Team arrived this Saturday in Atlanta, site of the first of three group stage matches. A premiere against Canada at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium that is getting closer and closer in the calendar. And what excites a Lionel Messi who arrived smiling at the bunker this week.

In the capital of the state of Georgia, where around a million people reside, dozens of fans gathered at the doors of the hotel to see those chosen by Lionel Scaloni get off the buswho in fact did not have a rest after the defeat against Guatemala.

And during the Saturday morning in Washington the group was divided into two: while 11 soccer players did regenerative work in the hotel, the 15 who had a lower level of activity in the friendlies moved to the modern facilities of George Mason University to complete football jobs. Then, lunch, rest and flight to the South of the East coast.

Upon arrival at the hotel, the hubbub began when Scaloni and his technical staff began – together with Chiqui Tapia as head of the team – the parade of the team’s protagonists with the descent of the first of the two buses that transported the delegation. Then, of course, the endless applause for the footballers, with some top ones when they walked along the path: Dibu Martínez, Ángel Di María, Cuti Romero and Nicolás Otamendi, among the most acclaimed. In addition to Mesis, who with his matero set in hand walked through the entrance area greeting the fans.

While the most representative raised their hands and saluted, Alejandro Garnacho and Valentin Carboni They enjoyed with smiles the fury generated by Argentina, champion of America and the world in their first official tournament with the Major.

In this way, Argentina is also picking up pace when it comes to check-in: unlike other editions where it was based in a specific city, in the United States 2024 it will be in traveling mode. Heading, thus, from one venue to another to complete the fixture. And crossing out cities on the map.

For example, from Atlanta he will then have to go to New Jersey, where he will face Chile at the Met Life on Tuesday the 25th. And the last stop in his area will be Miami, the Yankee home of Leo Messi. Although on Saturday the 29th against Peru he will not play on Inter’s field but at the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL Dolphins.

Archers (3): Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez, Franco Armani and Gerónimo Rulli.

Defenders (9): Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Nicolás Tagliafico, Marcos Acuña, Cristian Romero, Germán Pezzella, Nicolás Otamendi, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Lisandro Martínez.

Midfielders (8): Guido Rodríguez, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Exequiel Palacios, Giovani Lo Celso, Valentín Carboni.

Forwards (6): Ángel Di María, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Nicolás González and Alejandro Garnacho.

6/20: Argentina vs. Canada (Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta)

6/21: Peru vs. Chile (AT&T Stadium, Arlington)

6/25: Chile vs. Argentina (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey)

6/25: Peru vs. Canada (Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City)

6/29: Argentina vs. Peru (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami)

6/29: Chile vs. Canada (Exploria Stadium, Orlando)