When you have the world’s greatest player on your team, expectations will always be high. Argentina are expected to win every competition they entered on the lone fact that Lionel Messi is their best player and captain. Unfortunately for them, that hasn’t worked out too well as a major championship has eluded them during the Messi era. Is this finally their moment to grab a trophy and help cement Messi’s legacy as the greatest ever?

By the Numbers

World Ranking: 1
Copa America Record: 33W-23D-14L
Best Copa America Finish: 1st in 1991 and 1993
Top Goal Scorer: Lionel Messi (50)

Recent Form:
1-0 W vs. Honduras – Friendly
2-0 W vs. Bolivia – WCQ
2-1 W at Chile – WCQ
1-0 W at Colombia – WCQ
1-1 D vs. Brazil – WCQ

2016 Argentina Home & Away Jerseys

Key Players

Aside from the obvious mention of Lionel Messi, who will be the center of attentional as usual, Argentina also just happen to have two of the best strikers in the world at their disposal too. Sergio Agüero and Gonzalo Higuain are both clinical finishers and can fill the net at will. The problem is finding a way to get all of these world-class players on the field at the same time in a cohesive team.

Group Stage Schedule

Argentina have been paired with fellow South American powerhouse Chile along with Panama and Bolivia. It’s painfully obvious that the No. 1 and No. 3 ranked teams in the world should advance.

• Monday, June 6 — Argentina vs. Chile, 10:00 p.m. ET — Fox Sports 1
• Friday, June 10 — Argentina vs. Panama, 9:30 p.m. ET — FOX
• Tuesday, June 14 — Argentina vs. Bolivia, 10:00 p.m. ET — Fox Sports 1

New York City Spot

The heart of support for La Albiceleste will be located at Boca Juniors Steakhouse in Elmhurst. Get there early, though, if you want to enjoy selections like filet mignon and short ribs while taking in the games.

Closing Thoughts

Coming in as the No. 1 ranked team in the world with the undisputed world’s best player in tow should spell success for Argentina. They seem to be the popular pick to win it all, but they have a hard time living up to those expectations. It will take a collective effort instead of relying on their go-to player for them to lift the Copa America trophy this year. Lionel Messi’s career is reaching its apex and this will be one of his last chances to capture a major trophy before he his the downside. Argentina have all the weapons, they just need the right gameplan to utilize them.