South American giants Argentina will endeavour to win a third consecutive major international tournament and defend their Copa America title in the USA this summer.
La Albiceleste came out on top at the 2021 Copa America, the nation's first continental triumph for 28 years, before becoming world champions less than 18 months later after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Lionel Scaloni's side, who are seeking to win a record-extending 16th Copa America title, are regarded as one of the favourites to go all the way at this summer's expanded 16-nation tournament.
However, the big questions of the lips of every Argentina supporter is whether global icon Lionel Messi will be selected in Scaloni's final 26-man squad.
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Indeed, there has been plenty of speculation as to whether Messi would continue to represent Argentina after etching his name into football folklore when he led his country to their third World Cup trophy in 2022.
Messi initially announced his international retirement in 2016 following Argentina's defeat on penalties to Chile in the final of the Copa America, and at the time, he insisted that "there will be no going back" on his decision.
The 36-year-old evidently changed his mind and has since gone one to win two major tournaments and break multiple records, most notably becoming the nation's all-time record goalscorer (106) and record appearance-maker (181 caps).
Messi joined MLS outfit Inter Miami in July last year and after winning the Leagues Cup just a month later, he has since made an impressive star to the 2024 campaign, scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists in 15 matches across all competitions.
The legendary attacker has had his fair share of injury issues this term, though, which have raised further concerns over his involvement for Argentina at the 2024 Copa America.
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Lionel Messi set to represent Argentina at 2024 Copa America
Nevertheless, Messi has been included in Argentina's 29-man preliminary squad, which will soon be cut to 26, and he is expected to once again lead his country into the Copa America, as the reigning world champions bid to win back-to-back titles for the first time since the mid-1940s.
Messi is committed to playing in his seventh Copa America, but this summer's tournament could represent his last on the international stage as it remains to be seen whether he wishes to compete at the 2026 World Cup.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has not played for Argentina since the end of October 2023 as he was forced to sit out of March's two friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica due to injury. Messi is still nursing a few minor issues picked up during his time at Inter Miami heading into this summer's Copa America.
However, the attacker made his first international appearances of 2024 when he came on as a 56th-minute substitute in Argentina's friendly against Ecuador at Soldier Field in Illinois on June 9, with Angel di Maria scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory for La Albiceleste.
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Scaloni wants Messi and co in "best possible condition"
Scaloni explained prior to kickoff that he plans to manage Messi's minutes across Argentina's two warm-up fixtures, with La Albiceleste scheduled to face Guatemala at Commanders Field in Maryland on June 15.
Speaking after the win over Ecuador, Scaloni said: "With Leo, there is no need to risk him. Not just with him, but others like [Nicolas] Otamendi didn't play. Angel only played some minutes, Julian [Alvarez] and Lautaro [Martinez] the same.
"We want to take care of these players and allow them to arrive in their best possible conditions to the tournament."
Messi is bidding to build up his fitness in the hope of starting Argentina's opening group-stage game of the 2024 Copa America against tournament debutants Canada on June 21.
Should he feature in that match in some capacity, he would make his 35th Copa America appearance and break the record for the most number of appearances in the tournament's history, surpassing Chile goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone.
Argentina will also face Chile on June 26 and then Peru four days later in their final two matches in Group A.
Oliver Thomas
