Copa America 2024: Lionel Messi set to break 71-year-old Record against Canada

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Argentina captain Lionel Messi will create a new record as he takes the field for his nation against Canada in the Copa America 2024.

Lionel Messi will lead the Argentina in the Copa America. The continental tournament is taking place in the USA as 16 teams fight across North America and South America for the oldest international tournament in the history of the game.

Argentina are the defending champions of Copa America and as they take on Canada to defend their title, Lionel Messi will etch his name into the history books.

The Argentina captain will now become the player with the most appearances in the Copa America in its history. The veteran Argentine has so far played 34 matches in the competition. He started his journey in this competition back in 2007 and has played six tournaments so far. This will be Messi's 7th participation in the Copa America.

Messi, despite his illustrious career, was missing the trophy cabinet with his national team, but finally broke his duck in the Copa America in 2021 when Argentina went on to beat arch-rivals Brazil in the final.

Lionel Messi with Most Appearances in Copa America

Lionel Messi currently equals the appearance count with Chile's Sergio Livingstone as both stand with 34 appearances. Livingstone's record of 34 matches was equalled by Messi in 2021 in the Final, but if the Argentine starts against Canada, he will break the record which has been intact for 71 years.

Messi has also netted 13 goals in the tournament, and if he finds the net 5 times, the Argentina supremo will claim the summit spot for the top goalscorer in the competition as well.