Messi Achieves a New Record and Expands His Legend
Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentine national team, added a new record to his career by becoming the player with the most finals played in the history of the Copa América, with five.
The Albiceleste captain reached the final of the Copa América 2024 against Colombia, having also reached the final in 2007, 2015, 2016, and 2021. He surpasses his former teammate Javier Mascherano, the current Argentine Olympic team coach, who played in 2004, 2007, 2015, and 2016.
In this competition, Messi holds the record for most matches played (39), most victories (24 so far), and is, alongside Brazilian legend "Zizinho," an idol of Pelé and a star in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the only player to have scored in six different editions (he only missed in 2011).