An exciting classic will define the Copa América 4:18
(CNN) -
When Lionel Messi takes the field in the Copa América final on Saturday, it could be his last chance to win a trophy with Argentina. In his bid to end his country's 28-year trophy drought, Messi will face a familiar face, that of his former Barcelona teammate Neymar.
Lionel Messi, in data
Brazil is the current champion, and has the formidable record of having won all previous editions played in their own country.
In addition, this year's tournament was moved to Brazil just 13 days before its start, after Colombia and Argentina were deprived of organizing rights.
Few expect a diminished Argentine team to go far at next year's World Cup in Qatar, and Messi will be 37 years old the next time the Copa América is held in 2024.
Brazil-Argentina: this is how the Copa América final was created 0:51
Messi, considered by many to be one of the best players of all time, has had a sometimes tense relationship with the Argentine team and its fans.
In the past, after some rather mediocre performances, he has been accused of caring more for Barcelona than for Argentina, something Messi has always flatly denied.
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Lionel Messi led the celebrations after Argentina reached the Copa América final.
However, over the years he has become a revered figure in his country.
That was never more evident than when Messi announced his retirement following a defeat in the 2016 Copa América final, the second year in a row Argentina had lost to Chile on penalties, and the entire country joined in a successful attempt to convince him of to wear the blue and white shirt again.
At times, Messi has supported the national team on his own over the years, especially during the qualification process for the 2018 World Cup, in which Argentina was close to not reaching the final phase.
During the semifinal penalty shootout victory against Colombia, Messi, who has four goals and five assists in this Copa América, once again showed the kind of leader he has become for Argentina.
5 duels Argentina vs.
Brazil that remained in history 1:12
National broadcaster TyC Sport featured a "Messi-Cam" during the penalty shoot-out that focused on the Argentine captain the entire time.
In it you could see his intense reaction to each penalty scored by Argentina.
He was also the first to console Rodrigo De Paul after his failure.
Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martínez embrace after the goalkeeper's exploits in the penalty shoot-out.
However, it was his reaction to Yerry Mina's failure that generated the most reaction on social media.
The Colombian defender has become famous for his somewhat exaggerated celebrations after scoring on penalty shoot-outs, and after his penalty was stopped by Emiliano Martínez, Messi could be seen yelling "dance now" to Mina all his way. back to the center circle.
Messi's exuberance contrasted with the last time he participated in a penalty shoot-out for Argentina.
After missing his penalty in the final against Chile in 2016, Messi was doubled over on the grass and appeared to be on the verge of vomiting.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Martinez was the undisputed hero of Wednesday's tie, stopping three of Colombia's penalties, and received praise from Messi and his teammates.
Messi celebrates after scoring his penalty during the penalty shoot-out against Colombia.
Saturday's meeting will be the first time since 2007 that Brazil and Argentina meet in a Copa América final, by the way Messi's first with the national team.
Brazil hopes to repeat that comfortable 3-0 victory and comes into this match as favorites.
Under coach Tite, Brazil is a long way from playing the 'jogo bonito' of yesteryear, but this team is pragmatic and tenacious, a style that has brought them considerable success in the last five years.
That culminated in victory at the 2019 Copa América, the country's first major silver piece since 2007.
On Messi's path in the final is his old friend Neymar.
Brazil has not come to fruition in this tournament, but has found success based on a fierce defense.
The team has only conceded two goals in the entire tournament and none so far in the quarterfinals.
Even when they were left with 10 men for the entire second half of the quarter-final match against Chile, Brazil never gave the impression that they were going to concede a goal.
Neymar's legacy with the Brazilian team is already guaranteed glory.
Not only has he led the team to Olympic glory and the America's Cup in his country, but it is more than likely that he will end his career as the greatest scorer in the history of Brazil.
He is currently only nine goals behind Pelé.
Instead, if Messi led Argentina to glory, his legacy would change completely.
America's Cup Lionel Messi
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