This coming morning (2:00 a.m. in Spain) the 48th Copa América begins in Atlanta (United States)which, for the second time in its history (after 2016), will have 16 teams, the ‘no more’ of a tournament that will mix the 10 countries of Conmebol – it is its continental trophy – with six from Concacaf, in an artificial union – Concacaf has its own tournament, the Gold Cup, but it can be explained by the power of money attracted by the three organizing countries of the 2026 World Cup: the USA, Mexico and Canada.
With a guaranteed full capacity on the fields, The attention will be on Leo Messi’s Argentina and on the Brazil of the trio formed by the Madridistas Vinicius, Rodrygo (his number 10) and young Endrick, who will be number 9 in his baptism in a great competition.
Argentina, just a year and a half after winning his third star in Qatar, has the great challenge of achieving the Triple Crown that, at the American level, no one has achieved in history, and only Spain at the World level (Euro 08, World Cup 2010 and Euro 12). The Albiceleste, with almost the same eleven as in Qatar, challenges itself with this possible Triplet: Copa América 2021 (in Brazil and against Brazil), World Cup 2022 and CA 2024.
The United States already vibrates with Messi’s last dance with Argentina? It’s difficult to know that now, but a good result in this Cup could encourage Leo to give himself the pleasure of playing in six World Cups (no one has done it in history) within two summers in this same country, the one where, according to him, He will retire as an Inter Miami player.
But in a football as competitive as South American It’s not going to be especially easy. Brazil is pushing hard, with renewed air (Endrick or midfielder Ederson) and with very consolidated figures, like the two Madrid players already mentioned. Neymar is no longer there and the leadership corresponds to Vini Junior.
And there is not only Brazil. Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay, led on the field by ‘capi’ Fede Valverde, will have things to say. Without the generation of Godín, Suárez or Cavani, La Celeste must always be counted on, because, not in vain, they are the most winners of this tournament (15, the same as Argentina), while Brazil aspires to its Décima.
Outside of those three, everything would be a surprise. Colombia comes with Luis Díaz and the everlasting James Rodríguez andn attack; Ecuador, with its usual physique and the very young (17) Kendry Páez (already signed by Chelsea) as a possible continental star; Mexico arrives with many unknowns on and off the field; and the United States, with perhaps the best generation in its history that aspires to be confirmed in a major world tournament.
There will be many LaLiga players in a tournament that can be seen in Spain on Movistar with matches at 00:00, 02:00 and 03:00 Spanish. This morning, Argentina-Canada opens the curtain for a Messi who wants to make (more) history.
