Atlanta, United States, Jun 18 (EFE).- Two days before the start of the Copa America in the United States, Lionel Messi, captain of defending champions Argentina, said his team were favorites to win anew but would face competition to retain the title.
«I always said that Argentina is the favorite, but well, because of the way we are, we are always the best, we always take things for granted, and we took a lot of hits for that,” Messi said in an interview on America TV with journalist Marcelo Tinelli published Tuesday.
“Today we can say we are the best, because we are the last world champions, but that does not mean that we are going to win this Copa America walking,» he said.
Messi spoke of Ecuador, saying they have a ”generation of very good kids who know well what they want and are intense» and would be competitive alongside regular contenders Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia.
«That’s why I say it’s going to be a very, very close America’s Cup. And the good thing about us is that the group knows it and is aware that we’re going to have to continue doing the same thing, even more, to win again,» he said.
The captain said there’s is a good atmosphere among the group of players called up by Argentina Coach Lionel Scaloni, who helped them win three titles – the last Copa America, the Finalissima and the World Cup.
«Having achieved everything we achieved in this short time gives you peace of mind. It gives you something as it is,» he said.
Messi again said his participation in the next World Cup would depend on how he felt about the entire process until 2026.
«I was always grateful for the love I received throughout my career. And it was like everyone wanted it to end that way—that I couldn’t leave football without being a world champion. And well, thank God it was possible,» he said.
“I have achieved much more than I dreamed of when I started because I never imagined that I would experience everything,» he said.
«I think that everything happens for a reason and that everything is written. For me, if it has to be, it will be, and it will be now. And it is marked, and God kept in mind that it had to be this way,” he said.
Argentina are in Group A of the Copa America alongside Peru, Chile, and Canada.
The tournament starts Thursday with the World Champions facing Canada in the opening match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
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