Argentinian Lionel Messi breaks record for most Copa America appearances – Sportsnet.ca

The great Lionel Messi has added another record to his legendary career.

With his start in Argentina’s opening match against Canada in the 2024 Copa America, Messi set a new record for the highest capped player at the tournament.

Messi’s start on Thursday was the 35th Copa America match of his career and he passed Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone’s previous record of 34 matches.

Under Messi’s leadership, Argentina won its 15th Copa America title three years ago amid the COVID-19 pandemic, beating Brazil 1-0 in the final.

Messi will turn 37 at the Copa America, which will also be the first time he will play in a major event since leaving European football. He scored fifteen goals in fourteen games for Inter Miami in the MLS this year.

The Argentina captain has been struggling with muscle injuries since the World Cup, but has not said when he expects to retire from the national team.

“Time will tell whether I will do that (at the 2026 World Cup) or not,” Messi told Star Plus in December. “As long as I feel like I’m doing okay and that I can help, I’ll do it. Nowadays all I think about is going to the Copa America and playing it. Fight for it again, as we always do, try to become champions.

“If we do well at the Copa America and I can keep playing, maybe that will happen.”

— With files from the Associated Press