5 Reasons Why The Copa America Final Means The World to Messi

While his team-mates from Barcelona have been off enjoying their summer breaks in exotic islands and adding to their coffers with sponsor tours, Lionel Messi has been slugging it out with his Argentine national team in Chile.

The three week long Copa America draws to an end tonight with the big final between 14-time former Champions Argentina and hosts Chile.

22 players will take the field in Santiago’s national stadium, but all eyes will be on one man - Lionel Messi. The Argentine captain may be the target of Chile’s entire defense wall, but he’s got his eyes firmly on the prize. Here’s what’s at stake for him.

1. All Glory for Club, None For Country

There is no trophy Lionel Messi hasn’t won, for Barcelona. The four-time World Player of the Year however has failed to replicate his winning form in the Argentine national colours.

The Albicelestes have have not won a major title in the last 22 years. Their previous title victory coming in the 1993 Copa America. Since then, the team has featured in seven Copa Americas and six World Cups and come back empty handed. Messi was part of five of those campaigns.

A victory tonight will not only help the Barcelona star cement a place in the hearts of his compatriots but also silence his critics who constantly question his ability to show up for Argentina.

How’s that for incentive!

2. Always The Bridesmaid

Argentina’s national team has not tasted success in the last 22 years. But that doesn’t mean they haven’t been within sniffing distance, a little too often.

They played the 2014 Brazil World Cup in inspired fashion, reaching the final against Germany, only to lose 1-0 in extra time. Before that, the team had reached the quarters in 2006 and 2010.

In the Copa America, a tournament for South American nations, Argentina lost consecutive finals to Brazil in 2004 and 2007. And to add to that, they failed to get past the quarters in the 2011 edition played at home.

With the records stacked against them, and the fans’ ardour lulled by constant disappointment, what better time for captain Lionel Messi to inspire his team and return home with silverware.

3. Against Chile, Only Victories

In the tournament’s 99-year long history, Argentina has faced Chile 24 times and never lost a single match. They may be short on the silverware column all around but at least the bragging rights tonight will be held by the fans in stripes.

The win loss record reads; 19 wins, five draws and zero defeats in favour of Argentina.

In fact, in the two teams’ competitive history Argentina has lost only one match to Chile, a 1-0 defeat in a 2010 World Cup qualifier in October 2008.

So, why start now?

4. One For The Team

Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano and Javier Pastore.

How can a dressing with all those jerseys not be allowed to return after a final with a glittering winner’s trophy.

Coach Gerardo Martino too minced no words when claiming his was the best squad in the world. “This is one of the best - not just one of the many Argentine sides in history but one of the best. Unfortunately in football you’re judged by your achievements, so obviously they’ll be more highly regarded if they get the chance to win something,” he said

This one needs to be won.

5. For the Love of The Flag

Try as the players may, the fact that Argentina’s was the only national anthem booed by the home crowd throughout the tournament, cannot be ignored.

Argentina and Chile share a rare South American football rivalry, fired on by their geopolitical tensions that has seen their generals clash, a near-war over territory and accusations of treachery.

There’s no denying there is a historical political edge to tonight’s fixture and what better way to answer the booes with flying your flag even higher, at the end of the night.