Santiago (AFP) – Lionel Messi and Argentina will be chasing a first major title in 22 years Saturday when they face hosts Chile in a dream Copa America final in Santiago.
The three-week South American football showpiece reaches its climax at the Estadio Nacional with Argentina aiming to win their first title since 1993, 12 months after defeat in last year’s World Cup final.
Chile are anxious to shed their unwanted tag as the perennial nearly men of South American football, ending decades of hurt by winning a first Copa America crown after nearly a century of failure.
Argentina captain Messi has declared himself “desperate” to win an international title after winning every honor at club level with Barcelona.
Coach Gerardo Martino said Friday victory for Argentina was almost an “obligation”.
“It’s very difficult to imagine what would have happened if we had not reached the final,” Martino said.
“In reality the expectations this group of players generates are so great that sometimes they think winning is an obligation.”
Argentina head into the final in buoyant mood after thrashing Paraguay 6-1 in the semi-finals.
Martino said Argentina’s players had been told to take the emotion out of what is expected to be a highly charged occasion.
“There is always an emotional factor in the final, but the guys must ignore that. These are the kinds of games where there is so much tied up in the result that you can sometimes change the way you approach the match.
“But what will bring us the title is to do things as usual.”