Copa America 2021: Messi's Last Chance, If Not Now When?

Lionel messi (Twitter @copaamerica)

JAKARTA - The Brazil-Argentina match always raises many questions. But what stands out the most ahead of Saturday's Copa America final in Rio de Janeiro is can Lionel Messi finally win his first international tournament?

The Barcelona player has won every available award at club and individual level and is considered the greatest player of the 21st century and a strong candidate, along with Pele and Diego Maradona, as the greatest footballer of all time.

But he never lifted any trophies with Argentina. Now the question for the 34-year-old is if not now, when?

¡EL CAMINO DE LA ALBICELESTE!🇦🇷 @Argentina afronta una nueva final de CONMEBOL #CopaAmérica y así arribó a la definición.🗒️ESP https://t.co/XQW4giEEBR🗒️PT https://t.co/ HFNqWdL2kh#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/a63w3L8MOd

— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 8, 2021

"Messi only has two chances," said Tostao, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1970. "He has the Copa and the World Cup (2022) but the World Cup is difficult."

There are no strong favorites for Saturday's clash at the Maracana stadium, although Brazil have had a slightly better run over the last four weeks and they have benefited from their home status.

However Messi is in great form and leads the tournament in terms of goals and assists. Of the 11 goals scored by Argentina, Messi has packed four goals and provided five assists.

"We are seeing a better version of Messi," wrote Antonio Mohamed, former Argentine player and now Monterrey coach, in Ole, an Argentine sports newspaper.

"Every time he touched the ball, three players would surround him in the style of the legendary Maradona."

Messi's dream

Messi has spoken at length about his dream of winning titles with Argentina and his compatriots know how much international trophies mean to him.

In the past, his team-mates were seen as the culprits of his disappointment for squandering chances in the final or failing to match his level of brilliance or superhuman focus.

#CopaAmérica LIONEL MESSI contra el resto... ️🔟🇦🇷🇦🇷 Argentina Colombia #VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/zxWreC8kHO

— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 7, 2021

But now he is accompanied by the best Argentine team in years and not much of a reason.

They were not Argentina 1978 or 1986 but under coach Lionel Scaloni this team is unbeaten in 19 games since the last Copa America in 2019.

More senior players like Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria, are aware that winning the World Cup is an unlikely scenario and Saturday's final could be their last chance.

These experienced players, along with youngsters who grew up idolizing their future team-mates, know that they are playing not only for Argentina but also for Messi and the opportunity to reward him with the title he deserves.

"We are all happy that Argentina can win the title and above all it goes to Leo," said Mohamed as quoted by Reuters from Reuters.