Lionel Messi has not ruled out still being present in 2026, but for the moment he is eyeing the America Cupwhich he had finally won with theArgentine in 2021.
In an experienced group which includes 22 world champions, Messi obviously finds Angel di Maria or even Lautaro Martinez. The eight-time Ballon d’Or, who will celebrate his 37th birthday on June 24, will open the competition against Canada on Thursday in Atlanta before a shock in the first round on June 25 against Chile, a reminder of the two finals lost by the Albiceleste in 2015 and 2016.
Messi is all the more the face of this Copa as he has been playing since July 2023 atInter Miami. The city with its Latino accent (the community most focused on “soccer” in the USA) is establishing itself as the new stronghold of American football, where the final of the tournament will take place and where Fifa has set up offices.
Freed from the rhythm and harshness of European football, Messi offers himself the luxury of arriving fresher at the Copa, little affected by the senatorial train of the MLS championship, where he continues to pile up the goals (12 after 19 days ) without being reproached for his lack of shopping.
With its dragster acceleration, Vinicius Junior brought European football into line, recently offering itself a second Champions League with the Real Madridet se pose en leader du Brazilanother giant of South America, in the absence of Neymar, operated in November for a rupture of the cruciate ligaments and the meniscus of the left knee.
“I haven’t won a national title yet, I hope to do so now. We have prepared well. This generation is strong and we want to do great things with the Seleçao,” said Viniciuswho will celebrate his 24th birthday on July 12.
He will play in the Seleçao with his Real teammates Rodrygo (attacker) and Eder Militao (defender), and will be able to cover his future Madrid teammate Endrick, the new star of Auriverde football who is playing his first major tournament at the age of 17.
