Xtra Time Web Desk: Former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar will meet each other in the dream final of Copa America 2021 at the Maracana Stadium on Sunday. Both the superstar footballers are yet to win Copa title and this might perhaps be the last opportunity for the Argentina captain.
For six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, this will be his fourth Copa final and perhaps his last chance to finish on the winning side. He’s been his team’s standout performer, as ever, scoring four goals and creating five more – the tournament leader in both categories. But at 34, this might well be Messi’s last Copa. Most fans will believe winning something with Argentina is Messi’s only remaining professional goal.
At 29, Neymar has a bit more time on his side but he was injured and absent two years ago when Brazil won their ninth title on home soil, beating Peru 3-1 in the final.
Incredibly, these two sides are not even the two most successful ones in Copa history, with Uruguay having won 15 titles to Argentina’s 14 and Brazil’s nine. Both the Latin American giants have met each other thrice in the final before with the Albiceleste emerging victorious in 1937 whereas the Selecao came out on top in 2004 & 2007 respectively.
The two squads have been the most impressive as far as their strength and depth is concerned.
In the semi-final against Peru, Brazil emerged victorious despite missing Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus (suspension). Coach Tite left the likes of Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino, Flamengo hot-shot Gabriel Barbosa and Real Madrid starlet Vinicius Junior on the bench. But that did not stop them from reaching the final.
Likewise, Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria has mostly started on the bench while new Barcelona signing Sergio Aguero has hardly had a look in for Argentina.
As well as looking to end his career-long trophy drought with Argentina, Messi could make history in another way on Saturday. He currently sits on 76 goals for Argentina, one shy of Pele’s South American record of 77 national team goals.